The Israeli military began imposing special closures on West Bank cities on Monday night, ahead of the vote for the 26th Knesset. The stated aim is to reduce friction between Israelis and Palestinians while the election is under way.
Troops stationed along the security barrier have been reinforced amid concerns over possible terrorist attacks. Additional security forces will also be deployed to hiking sites across the West Bank.
Brig. Gen. Kobi Heller, who commands the IDF's Judea and Samaria Division, has overseen operations at several locations over the past 24 hours as part of preparations for Election Day.
The first measure involves what the military calls "breathing closures" and temporary roadblocks. These allow controlled movement around cities, towns and villages that have been identified as potential flashpoints for violence.
The IDF expects many Israelis to visit hiking sites in the area during the Election Day public holiday. For that reason, extra troops will secure hiking areas where visits have been coordinated in advance.
These steps are being carried out alongside operations led by the Paratroopers Brigade headquarters, under Col. Roi Zweig, to combat nationalist crime in the Shiloh Valley. The valley falls within the area of responsibility of the Binyamin Regional Brigade. Even so, security forces were unable to prevent incidents of settler violence in the Binyamin region overnight, including the torching of Palestinian vehicles.
Meanwhile, troops from the Judea and Samaria Division launched arrest operations in the Qalqilya, Jenin and Nablus districts to increase pressure on the ground amid fears of attacks. Security forces also carried out field interrogations and warned individuals accused of incitement.
A security official told Walla on Tuesday morning that IDF engineering forces were preparing to demolish illegal structures, the homes of terrorists and monuments. The effort is meant to combat incitement to terrorism and head off potential copycat attacks. The IDF also decided on Monday night to reinforce troops along the security barrier amid concerns that attackers could infiltrate Israel.
Heller also stressed the importance of closer coordination among security agencies on Election Day, including the Israel Police, the Israel Border Police in the West Bank and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency). The stronger coordination is intended to ensure a rapid operational response to any incidents that arise.
