Israel Shuts West Bank Crossings During Election Amid Crackdown

WHO:

NBC News - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future could be determined by the nationwide elections.

NBC News - NBC News correspondent Matt Bradley reported from Tel Aviv.

CBS News World - The Israeli military is conducting an operation in the West Bank.

BBC News - The Israeli Defense Forces announced restrictions affecting Palestinian workers.

WHAT:

NBC News - The restrictions are focused on Hebron.

CBS News World - Israel is to close West Bank crossings amid a military operation.

BBC News - Israel is to close West Bank crossings on election day.

BBC News - The Israeli Defense Forces announced restrictions on Palestinian workers’ movement.

WHERE:

NBC News - Hebron is the focus of the restrictions; Matt Bradley reported from Tel Aviv.

CBS News World - The reported gun attack and military operation took place in the West Bank.

BBC News - The crossings being closed are in the West Bank.

WHY:

NBC News - The restrictions came days before nationwide elections that could determine Netanyahu’s political future.

CBS News World - The military operation came in response to a gun attack that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others.

BBC News - The movement restrictions were announced in the run-up to an election.

HOW:

BBC News - The Israeli Defense Forces announced restrictions on Palestinian workers’ movement.

(UPDATED October 26, 2026 00:03 UTC)

Israel is closing crossings in the West Bank and restricting Palestinian workers’ movement as it carries out a military operation. The operation followed a gun attack that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others. The Israeli Defense Forces announced the movement restrictions in the run-up to a nationwide election, with Hebron a particular focus. The crossing closures are set to take effect on election day. The vote could determine Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future. NBC News correspondent Matt Bradley reported from Tel Aviv as the restrictions took shape. The measures affect Palestinian workers across the West Bank, while the military operation is underway in the territory. The election-day closures link the security measures to the vote, amid heightened tensions following the deadly attack.

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(UPDATED October 25, 2026 16:06 UTC)

Israel is carrying out a military operation in the West Bank after a gun attack killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others. Israeli forces are also preparing to close crossings in the territory on election day, restricting movement for Palestinians. The Israeli Defense Forces announced limits on Palestinian workers’ movement as the election approaches. The crossing closures and worker restrictions affect access in and out of the West Bank. The operation follows the attack, while the movement measures are linked to the run-up to the election. Together, the actions mean Palestinians face tighter movement controls during the operation and election period. The closures apply to crossings across the West Bank, though no further details about their scope or duration were provided.