Israel to Block West Bank on Election Day After Hebron Displacement

Israel will impose a blockade on the West Bank on Tuesday, the day of legislative elections, the Israeli army announced, following a military operation that has displaced nearly 2,200 Palestinians from Hebron. The army said the political sphere approved banning Palestinian workers' entry and exit across the West Bank and Jordan Valley, including industrial zones, and closing all ground checkpoints for the entire election day. The operation began Friday in retaliation for the killing of two soldiers, with local authorities reporting 2,193 people expelled and access to Hebron blocked. The displacement follows a Friday attack near Hebron that killed two Israeli soldiers and two Palestinian suspects, which Israel attributed to a Hamas cell. Defense Minister Israel Katz said residents will not return until Hamas-related issues are resolved, while Palestinian officials condemned the action as collective punishment and urged international pressure beyond condemnations.