Netanyahu orders Hebron siege, prepares full West Bank lockdown
The Palestine Chronicle reports on 23 October 2026:
Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu ordered an immediate closure of Hebron (Al-Khalil) and preparations for a comprehensive West Bank lockdown, with entrances sealed by Israeli forces.
- Anadolu reported five Israelis wounded, two critically, while Al Mayadeen reported six soldiers wounded; Israeli forces killed both Palestinian attackers.
- Separate overnight raids targeted Palestinian homes, towns and a university campus, with arrests reported across several governorates.
Hebron Sealed, Wider Lockdown Prepared
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the immediate closure of Hebron (Al-Khalil) on Friday and instructed occupation forces to prepare for a comprehensive lockdown across the occupied West Bank.
The order followed a shooting near the city that wounded Israelis and ended with Israeli occupation forces killing two Palestinian attackers.
“I instructed the Israeli army and security agencies to impose an immediate closure on Hebron and prepare for a comprehensive lockdown across Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), starting today (Friday),” Netanyahu said in a statement reported by Anadolu news agency.
Eyewitnesses told the agency that Israeli occupation forces closed all entrances to Hebron with iron gates, placing the city under siege. Troops also blocked entrances to surrounding Palestinian towns and villages with earth mounds and military checkpoints, preventing movement between them.
Israeli occupation forces raided Hebron’s outskirts and nearby towns, searched shops and seized surveillance camera footage, witnesses added.
Meanwhile, Israeli chief of staff Eyal Zamir approved a cordon around Hebron and surrounding villages, alongside intensified arrests and intelligence operations. He also directed preparations for additional troop deployments, according to Israel’s Channel 12 reporting.
Casualty Reports Differ After Shooting
Six Israeli soldiers were wounded, including two in extremely grave condition, following the attack at Farsh al-Hawa, northwest of Hebron, earlier on Friday. Israeli forces killed the two Palestinian attackers after an exchange of fire.