Palestine News Today: Hebron Under Siege as Israel Launches Collective Punishment Campaign in West Bank
24 October 2026. Israeli forces have imposed a sweeping lockdown and demolition campaign on Hebron following a deadly checkpoint attack, drawing international alarm over collective punishment of Palestinian civilians. Meanwhile, Gaza's ceasefire continues to be violated with further deaths, and rights groups warn that Israel's upcoming elections must not distract from accountability for international crimes.
Italy demands release of five women held in West Bank
Italy's foreign minister has called the detention of five Italian women by the Israeli army in the West Bank 'unacceptable', according to Anadolu Agency, insisting the nationals had committed no crime. The demand comes as Israeli forces intensify arrests and closures across the territory.
Sources: Anadolu Agency
Israel razes Hebron neighbourhood, evicting hundreds of families
Israeli troops have demolished or marked for destruction around 35 hectares of a Hebron neighbourhood, evicting roughly 1,500 people from their homes, according to the Guardian citing Palestinian municipal authorities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to 'destroy this place' in retaliation after an attack on an army checkpoint killed two soldiers, launching what the Guardian describes as a collective punishment campaign including mass demolitions and forced displacement of entire neighbourhoods.
Sources: The Guardian, The Guardian
Hebron siege enters second day, 19 Palestinians arrested
Israeli forces have sealed all entrances and exits to Hebron and surrounding villages for a second consecutive day, arresting 19 Palestinians across the West Bank, according to Middle East Monitor and Anadolu Agency. Al Jazeera reports the military operation includes raids, home demolitions and the forcible removal of residents, with Netanyahu ordering a full lockdown of the entire West Bank.
Sources: Middle East Monitor, Anadolu Agency, Al Jazeera, Middle East Monitor
UN chief voices alarm over West Bank closures
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was 'extremely alarmed' by intensifying violence in the occupied West Bank after Israel moved to seal off the territory, according to UN News and Anadolu Agency. His spokesperson said closures were affecting Palestinian access to essential services and movement across the territory.
Sources: Anadolu Agency, UN News
Switzerland urges restraint amid West Bank escalation
Switzerland has expressed concern over calls for violence and escalation in the occupied West Bank, urging Israel to protect civilians and ensure access to humanitarian aid, Anadolu Agency reports. The warning comes amid fears of a possible full closure of the entire territory.
Sources: Anadolu Agency
Displaced West Bank Palestinians face hunger after aid cuts
Palestinians already displaced by Israeli military operations in the West Bank are facing worsening hunger after the World Food Programme halved its assistance, according to Al Jazeera. Families who lost their homes are now struggling without adequate food support amid the ongoing military operations.
Sources: Al Jazeera
Fresh Israeli attacks kill Palestinians despite Gaza ceasefire
At least two Palestinians, including a woman, were killed and four others wounded in further Israeli attacks across Gaza, medical sources told Anadolu Agency, in violation of the ceasefire. Middle East Monitor separately reported three Palestinians killed and others injured in Israeli strikes on Nuseirat camp near Deir al-Balah, with rubble from destroyed buildings littering the area.
Sources: Anadolu Agency, Middle East Monitor
Rights group warns elections must not obscure Israeli crimes
Amnesty International has warned that Israel's forthcoming general election must not deflect attention from the country's international crimes, Middle East Monitor reports. The warning comes as campaigning continues ahead of polls scheduled for 27 October, with the rights group calling for continued accountability efforts.
Sources: Middle East Monitor
Settler gun licences expanded across West Bank settlements
Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has expanded firearm licence eligibility to residents of 11 West Bank settlements, a move condemned by Hamas, according to Middle East Monitor. The expansion comes amid continued incidents of settlers, protected by Israeli soldiers, preventing Palestinians from accessing their land, including during the olive harvest.
Sources: Middle East Monitor
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