Jerusalem Daily: Israel expels thousands from Hebron

On October 23, 2026, Israeli soldiers shot and killed two men who they claimed were behind an alleged attack near the city of Hebron in the West Bank. The incident resulted in injuries to at least five people, including some critically. Shortly after, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a closure of Hebron and prepared for a full lockdown of all of the West Bank starting that Friday. This decision came amid a tight race for upcoming elections on Tuesday where Netanyahu is seeking another term.

As a consequence, Israel's military operations led to significant disruptions in Hebron, including the forced displacement of residents from their homes at midnight with no clear end date. By November 1, 2026, the siege had lasted ten days, causing substantial economic damage estimated at over $3.8 million per day. Additionally, Mayor Yousef al-Jabari reported more than $1.9 million in infrastructure damage and approximately $160,000 in losses from health and environmental sectors.

The ongoing siege continues to escalate tensions and has spurred protests against Netanyahu’s leadership across Israel, particularly in Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem.