Israel Imposes West Bank Worker Restrictions and Lockdown Ahead of Elections
Israel imposes sweeping movement restrictions on Palestinian workers in Judea and Samaria ahead of Tuesday's elections, alongside ongoing IDF and Shin Bet operations in Hebron following a deadly shooting attack.
Strict movement restrictions take effect today in Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, barring the entry of Palestinian workers into communities until Monday. On Tuesday, election day, a comprehensive lockdown will be imposed and all land crossings will close under directives from the political leadership.
According to the security assessment, Palestinian labor will be permitted over the next two days exclusively in designated industrial zones and a limited number of pre-approved areas. On Tuesday, October 27, coinciding with the opening of polling stations, the ban will extend to all industrial zones, accompanied by a complete closure preventing the entry and exit of laborers. Military officials noted that the decision was adopted following recommendations from the defense establishment and approved by the political leadership to prevent regional friction.
Meanwhile, IDF and Shin Bet forces continue an extensive counterterrorism operation in the city of Hebron. The operation began on Friday, hours after a shooting attack at the Yehuda Junction that resulted in the deaths of Staff Sergeant Ron Yonathan Roitman and Sergeant Yuval Shay Sullam. Troops are operating in the residential neighborhood of the Jabari clan, from which the two terrorists originated before opening fire at a checkpoint and being killed in an exchange of gunfire.
During the operation, approximately 200 sites were searched and ten suspects were detained. Security forces permitted local residents to temporarily exit through designated checkpoints. Concurrently with the sweeps, authorities demolished illegally constructed buildings at the northern entrance to the city. Security officials explained that the objective is to eliminate risks and restore order, while Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir ordered the 98th Division to reinforce the sector to deter further attacks.
