OCCUPIED PALESTINE | Israel Besieges Hebron and Prepares to Shut Down the Entire West Bank… Military Escalation Spreads From Jenin and Nablus to the Gaza Strip!
23 October 2026 | Hebron – Jenin – Nablus – Gaza
The occupied Palestinian territories are witnessing a new wave of military and security escalation after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an immediate military cordon around Hebron and preparations for a comprehensive lockdown of the occupied West Bank following a shooting incident on Friday morning.
The measures coincide with continued restrictions on Palestinian movement and reports of renewed Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip.
🔻 First | Hebron Under Military Siege
▪️ Shooting incident: The Israeli military announced that it had killed two Palestinians near Yehuda Junction outside Hebron, accusing them of carrying out an armed attack that injured at least five people, some seriously or critically.
▪️ Identity of the two Palestinians killed: Local sources identified them as Hamouda and Firas al-Jaaba, both 27 years old and residents of Hebron. Other reports identified the first man as Mohammad al-Jaaba. Their personal and family details have not been independently verified.
▪️ Military operation: The Israeli army announced widespread raids and arrests across the West Bank. Local reports also described Hebron being surrounded, with Israeli forces firing tear gas and stun grenades toward residents in the Wadi al-Saman area.
▪️ Netanyahu’s decision: The Israeli prime minister ordered an immediate military cordon around Hebron and preparations for a complete closure of the occupied West Bank.
▪️ Beyond the elections: Israel’s Channel 14 reported that the security cordon could remain in place until after the October 27 elections. However, the duration of the closure has not been independently confirmed.
▪️ Ben-Gvir’s statements: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for additional military checkpoints and tighter restrictions on Palestinian movement, arguing that security considerations must take precedence over their freedom of movement.
🔻 Second | Nablus and Jenin: Military Checkpoints Isolate Palestinian Villages
▪️ Beit Furik – Nablus: Local reports stated that Israeli forces fired tear gas near the military checkpoint, sparking a fire in the surrounding area. The checkpoint had reportedly remained closed for more than 12 hours. Not all details have been independently verified.
▪️ Jenin: The Palestinian news agency WAFA confirmed the closure of roads and gates leading to villages east of the governorate, alongside land-clearing operations for the construction of a settlement road.
▪️ Bypass road: Residents reported that the closure of several gates was preventing people from approximately 15 villages east of Jenin from reaching the city and the Arab American University, forcing them to take lengthy alternative routes through Qabatiya. The exact number of affected villages and the extent of the detours remain subject to further verification.
Military checkpoints are increasingly becoming more than temporary security measures, imposing restrictions that disrupt Palestinians’ employment, education, medical care, and everyday lives.