West Bank Crossings Closed for Israel Election: Gaza Absent

Israel's military has confirmed that all West Bank land crossings will close on Tuesday, October 27, as the country votes in its first national election since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks. The West Bank security closures will bar Palestinian workers from entering Israel, settlements, industrial zones and the Jordan Valley, while Gaza's humanitarian catastrophe remains largely absent from the campaign.

Why Israel Is Closing West Bank Crossings on Election Day

The Israel Defense Forces said the restrictions mirror security measures used in past elections, but they follow a Friday checkpoint attack near Hebron in which Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered what he called an operation on a scale not seen since 1967. Troops cordoned off Hebron, demolished homes and businesses, and displaced about 2,000 residents, according to Defence Minister Israel Katz. Hebron Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari told the BBC that the crackdown was driven by the elections. Before October 7, 2023, more than 100,000 Palestinians held Israeli work permits; only a small fraction have been restored.

Gaza Suffering Largely Absent From the 2026 Campaign

Nearly a million people in Gaza are displaced, about 75,000 have been killed, and food prices have tripled as commercial deliveries stall and aid dwindles. Yet the Gaza humanitarian crisis has received little attention from the main candidates. The Guardian reported that Palestinians in al-Mawasi describe their suffering as campaign fodder. One displaced Gazan said: We are too focused on survival to follow the election. Those who watch do so out of fear, not hope. Both Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition and Gadi Eisenkot's opposition Yashar party focus on destroying Hamas and backing Donald Trump's peace plan, with no clear plan for Gaza's future.

What Gadi Eisenkot and Benjamin Netanyahu Promise on Hamas

At a Gaza border briefing on October 15, former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot vowed that within 18 months of becoming prime minister, Hamas will no longer rule Gaza and its military wing will be destroyed — either through Trump's framework or military action. He accused Netanyahu of having no strategy: As long as Netanyahu remains in power, Hamas will remain in power. Netanyahu's Israel election 2026 campaign has centered on national security and his vow to end Hamas rule. Yet neither candidate has detailed how civilians would be protected or how Gaza would be rebuilt.

Impact on Palestinians and Regional Security

The closures will hit the estimated tens of thousands of Palestinian workers who still hold permits, deepening economic strain in the West Bank. In Hebron, the military operation has displaced about 2,000 people, and the city's mayor called it a disaster zone. The West Bank settlements economy has also become more dependent on restricted Palestinian labour, though the security establishment argues closures prevent attacks. Rights groups warn that election-day restrictions, combined with the ongoing war in Gaza, risk inflaming tensions across the occupied territories.

Outlook After Tuesday

Polls suggest a tight race between Netanyahu's bloc and Eisenkot's opposition, with Arab parties potentially decisive. Whatever the outcome, Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank expect little change. The Hamas rule in Gaza question may dominate coalition talks, but the humanitarian catastrophe is unlikely to top the agenda.

FAQ

Why is Israel closing West Bank crossings on election day?

The military says it is a standard security measure during national elections, tightened after a checkpoint attack near Hebron killed two soldiers on October 24, 2026.

How many Palestinians are affected by the closure?

More than 100,000 Palestinians held Israeli work permits before October 7, 2023; only a fraction have been restored, and all will be barred during the closure.

Why is Gaza largely absent from the election campaign?

Both major candidates focus on destroying Hamas and security, with no clear plan for Gaza's future, while Palestinians describe their suffering as campaign fodder.

What have Eisenkot and Netanyahu said about ending Hamas rule?

Eisenkot promised Hamas would no longer rule Gaza within 18 months; Netanyahu has also vowed to end Hamas rule, though neither has detailed a civilian protection plan.

When is the 2026 Israel election?

Israel votes on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the first national election since the October 7, 2023 attacks.