West Bank Economy Frozen as 800,000 Residents Sealed in Hebron

800,000 residents in Hebron governorate are cut off from external markets and transit routes after Israeli forces imposed a total seal on the area. The blockade began on Friday, October 23, and continues through Saturday, October 24, freezing economic activity in the West Bank's most populous district.

The isolation affects approximately 200,000 people living inside the city of Hebron and another 600,000 in surrounding areas. Yousef al-Ja'bari, the mayor of Hebron, stated that 2,200 individuals have been forced from their homes. He reported that hundreds of military raids have occurred since the initial attack, leaving families with limited preparation time and few relocation options.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank following the deaths of two Israeli soldiers in an ambush at a reserve base. Both attackers were killed in the engagement. On Saturday, soldiers announced evacuation orders via loudspeakers late at night, restricting entry and exit from the city. Al Jazeera journalists reported that Israeli forces targeted a group documenting home demolitions near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint, firing a stun grenade at them.

The military campaign extends beyond Hebron. Raids were documented in at least 15 locations across the West Bank on Saturday, including Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Birzeit, occupied East Jerusalem, and Bethlehem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that forces arrested roughly 70 Palestinians during these operations. The Palestinian Authority characterized the measures as collective punishment, citing the closure of cities and the siege of neighborhoods.

Political timing complicates the economic disruption. The events occur three days before the Israeli parliamentary election on October 27. Nour Odeh, a West Bank correspondent for Al Jazeera, noted that Netanyahu's Likud party and its right-wing coalition partners are trailing in polls. She observed that politicians are attempting to project strength by emphasizing their combat efforts against Palestinians. Netanyahu did not confirm plans to dismantle the Palestinian Authority but indicated that a significant surprise awaits the organization.

The halt in movement impacts the commercial hubs of the central West Bank. With all entrances and exits closed since morning, local traders and service providers in Hebron face immediate logistical constraints. The Palestinian Authority has appealed to the international community for pressure to protect residents, while Hamas described the actions as a campaign that fuels outrage. The situation remains static as of Saturday, with the full population of Hebron governorate contained within the sealed borders.