Israel closes West Bank crossings and locks down Hebron after attack

Israel will close all land crossings with the occupied West Bank on Tuesday for its general election, with a partial closure starting Sunday through Monday, barring Palestinian workers from entering most areas. The announcement follows a lockdown in Hebron, where Israeli forces displaced about 2,000 Palestinians after a gun attack on an army base killed two soldiers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the closure, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying residents cannot return until Hamas issues are resolved. The Palestinian Authority condemned the actions as collective punishment, citing home demolitions and forced displacement. Netanyahu, facing a tight election race, has signaled a larger operation, while analysts say he is leveraging security concerns to boost his campaign.