Israeli forces launch West Bank raids, impose lockdown following Hebron attack

OPA WIRE, Oct 24 (OPA) — Israeli troops conducted widespread incursions across the northern West Bank on Saturday, targeting cities including Nablus, Jenin, Tubas, and Qalqilya. The military operations involved house raids and mass detentions, occurring hours after the government announced a comprehensive lockdown of the occupied territory. In Hebron, military bulldozers demolished a three-story building, while hundreds of residents were ordered to evacuate their homes in the Ein Deir Bahha area.

The military campaign follows a gunfight near the Telem settlement that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and left at least three others injured. The Israeli military confirmed it killed two Palestinian gunmen during the initial engagement. Late Friday, the army announced an operation in Hebron expected to last several days, alongside intensified security measures across dozens of locations throughout the West Bank.

The lockdown effectively closes nearly 1,000 checkpoints and gates, severely restricting movement for millions of Palestinians. Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, described the closure as a form of collective punishment that isolates cities and villages. He warned that the restrictions, which impede access to healthcare, education, and economic activity, threaten to escalate regional instability.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has advocated for expanded Israeli control over the West Bank, citing the recent violence as justification for stricter security measures. The current clampdown coincides with rising tensions and reports of increased settler-military activity in the region. The military remains on high alert as it continues to enforce the closure, which officials state is a response to the ongoing security threat.