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

Israel will close all land crossings and ban Palestinian workers from entering Israeli communities in the West Bank on election day, October 27, following a Palestinian attack that killed two Israeli soldiers near Hebron. The closure comes after Israeli forces entered Hebron and displaced around 2,000 residents, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying they will not return until Hamas issues are resolved. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a heavy price for the attack, planning an operation on a scale unseen since 1967, days before a tight election race. The Palestinian Authority called for international pressure to protect residents, while locals reported overnight evacuations and 40 suspects apprehended. A 70-year-old shopkeeper said soldiers ordered him to leave at 1:00 am, and his 90-year-old mother-in-law had to be carried out.