West Bank Lockdown Ordered After Deadly Attack Days Before Israeli Election

Two Israeli soldiers died and three others were wounded on Friday, October 23, 2026, in a Palestinian gun attack near a temporary checkpoint at Farsh al-Hawa, close to Hebron[6][9]. This incident prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order immediate and sweeping measures, including a full lockdown of the occupied West Bank, ahead of a highly contested national election scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2026[1][2][6].

This security escalation arrives at a critical political juncture for Israel, with the election described as deeply divided after three years of regional conflict[3][18]. Netanyahu, whose government is fighting for its survival, is reportedly trailing his leading opponent, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, in opinion polls[8][18]. Voters express concerns about security, international isolation, and Israel's identity, making the handling of such attacks central to the election debate[7][11][12].

What the records show

On the day of the attack, Prime Minister Netanyahu visited the scene and vowed a forceful response[6][8]. He instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and security forces to "prepare for a full lockdown of all of Judea and Samaria starting today," using the biblical term for the West Bank, and to impose an immediate cordon around the city of Hebron[9]. Netanyahu stated, "We are acting, first of all, to destroy this place, to utterly change it"[8]. The Israeli military subsequently launched a large-scale operation in Hebron, sealing the city and restricting movement[7][14]. This operation involved searching hundreds of locations and arresting 40 Palestinians[7]. Netanyahu also outlined plans for extensive military operations, threatening actions similar to those previously carried out in Palestinian areas like Jenin and Tulkarm refugee camps, which include evacuating residents, searching homes, confiscating weapons, and destroying infrastructure[16][17].

The timeline

The attack occurred on Friday, October 23, 2026, near Hebron, when two Palestinian gunmen, armed with a handgun and an automatic rifle, opened fire on Israeli forces[9][18]. Both gunmen were killed by Israeli forces at the scene[9][10]. Following the attack, Netanyahu issued orders for a full lockdown of the West Bank and a cordon around Hebron[9]. By Sunday, the Israeli military continued its massive operation in Hebron[14]. Restrictions on the movement of Palestinian workers and the closure of crossings into Israel were implemented and are expected to remain in place until after the election on Tuesday, October 27[4].

What changed and for whom

The military operation in Hebron has had severe consequences for Palestinian residents. Hebron municipal officials reported that more than 2,600 people were displaced[7]. Other reports specified over 2,200 people from nearly 500 apartments in the Deir Bahha area, and nearly 2,000 people from the Ein Deir Baha neighborhood, were driven from their homes[14][15]. Families were forced to flee, and businesses and mosques in Hebron were closed[7]. Roadblocks were erected, and main entrances and exits to the city were sealed[7]. Hebron Mayor Yousef al-Jabari condemned these actions as "collective punishment," asserting that Israeli authorities prevented journalists from documenting the operation[15].

What Netanyahu said publicly

On Friday, October 23, at the scene of the attack, Prime Minister Netanyahu declared his intent to escalate military actions. He stated, "We are acting, first of all, to destroy this place, to utterly change it"[8]. He also announced, "I have instructed the IDF and security forces to impose an immediate cordon on the city of Hebron and to prepare for a full lockdown of all of Judea and Samaria starting today," using the biblical term for the West Bank[9]. He further threatened operations to "evacuate the residents, search the homes, confiscate weapons, and destroy all terrorist infrastructure"[17].

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm the current number of individuals in critical condition among the three wounded Israeli soldiers. We also could not confirm the specific number of Palestinian gunmen involved in the initial attack, beyond them being referred to as two gunmen[9][10]. The full long-term impact of these military operations on the West Bank's infrastructure and residents beyond the election could not be determined from the available records.