Israel to close West Bank crossings on election day after deadly attack

Israel will close all land crossings with the West Bank on election day, October 27, following a Hamas-linked attack that killed two soldiers and sparked a major military operation in Hebron. The Israeli Army announced Palestinians would be barred from entering Israeli communities and industrial zones in the West Bank and Jordan Valley starting Sunday, while forces displaced around 2,000 Hebron residents. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a heavy price and a large-scale operation, as Defence Minister Israel Katz said displaced residents would not return until Hamas issues are resolved. The closure comes days before a tight election, with Netanyahu's security record under scrutiny after the October 7, 2023 attack. The Palestinian Authority called for international pressure, while residents reported forced evacuations and property seizures, with one local saying the operation aims to win votes "on the blood of the Palestinian people."