IDF to impose lockdown on West Bank during Israel’s election

The Israeli military will impose a lockdown on the West Bank during Israel's national election on Tuesday, preventing Palestinian laborers from entering settlements from Sunday until after election day. The IDF also began a drill simulating a multifront attack. Troops sealed the homes of two Palestinian gunmen who carried out a deadly shooting attack on Friday in Hebron.

The Israeli military announced Sunday it will impose a lockdown on the West Bank during Israel's national election on Tuesday, preventing Palestinian laborers from entering settlements from Sunday until after election day. The IDF said that following a fresh assessment, Palestinians with work permits will not be allowed to enter Israeli settlements across the West Bank and Jordan Valley, with the exception of industrial zones and a limited number of other approved areas. Some 9,000 Palestinians have permits to work in settlements or nearby industrial zones. On election day, a complete ban on Palestinian workers entering all settlements and industrial zones will be imposed, and all West Bank land crossings with Israel will be shuttered. The crossings will reopen and the ban lifted after election day, likely Wednesday morning. Separately, the IDF began a drill simulating a multifront attack, running through Monday in the country's north and center, including the West Bank. The military said the drill was pre-planned and not a response to a security incident. Troops also sealed the homes of the two Palestinian gunmen who carried out Friday's deadly shooting attack at a checkpoint in Hebron, killing two soldiers. A Palestinian suspected of planning an imminent terror attack was apprehended near Ramallah. In Jalud, settlers who took over a Palestinian home clashed with soldiers, and the structure was set on fire. The article notes that violence in the West Bank has soared since October 7, 2023, with near-daily incidents of settler violence against Palestinians.