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Israeli forces raided Palestinian homes and communities across the occupied West Bank overnight, detaining two people, searching houses and damaging property, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA. The operations focused on Hebron, where the Israeli military has displaced at least 2,500 Palestinians.

The Israeli army also barred Palestinian workers from entering Israeli settlements built on seized Palestinian land, outside industrial zones, from Sunday until further notice, and said all crossings from the West Bank into Israel would close on October 27, when elections are due to take place.

Overnight raids across the West Bank

After midnight, Israeli troops entered the town of As-Samu, south of Hebron, and deployed in several of its neighbourhoods. Soldiers forced their way into Palestinian homes, broke down doors, damaged belongings, beat some residents and took people away for questioning.

In Tubas, troops spread across several neighbourhoods during the night and searched the homes of former Palestinian prisoners who had previously been released, destroying property. In Bethlehem, Israeli forces raided homes in the Hindaza area east of the city and in the city centre, detaining two Palestinians.

Demolitions and displacement in Hebron

During the Hebron operations, the Israeli military carried out demolitions in the Deir Bahha and Farsh al-Hawa areas and damaged commercial stalls belonging to local residents. The Hebron Education Directorate suspended classes in schools on October 25-26, saying the safety of students and of teaching and administrative staff had to be considered.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights said yesterday that about 2,500 Palestinians had been forcibly displaced in Hebron. It reported that entry to and exit from the area was sealed, that numerous homes and businesses had been demolished, that vehicles had been seized and that families had been forced out of their houses.

Closures and restrictions on movement

The Israeli army announced that Palestinian workers would not be allowed into Israeli settlements built on seized Palestinian land, outside industrial zones, from Sunday until a second order is issued. The military also said that, acting on directives from the Israeli government, all crossings from the West Bank into Israel would be closed on October 27, the day elections are held.

Escalation after checkpoint clash

Two Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes at a Hebron checkpoint on October 23. The army subsequently closed all entrances to and exits from the city and nearby villages.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to expel residents of the neighbourhood where the two Palestinians who fought Israeli soldiers lived and to demolish their homes, and said Israel would mount "comprehensive attacks" in the West Bank. Defence Minister Yisrael Katz said the neighbourhoods of the Palestinians involved in the Hebron clash would be emptied and demolished entirely.

Key takeaways

• Israeli forces raided homes across the West Bank overnight, detaining two Palestinians in Bethlehem.
• About 2,500 Palestinians were displaced in Hebron, where homes and businesses were demolished, a rights group said.
• Palestinian workers are barred from Israeli settlements from Sunday, and West Bank crossings close on October 27.
• The escalation follows a October 23 Hebron checkpoint clash that killed two Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers.