12 West Bank zones restricted as IDF prepares for Knesset vote

West Bank residents face restricted movement on the night before Tuesday's Knesset election as the Israel Defense Forces initiates a series of security measures. The military began imposing special blockades on Monday night to limit friction between Israelis and Palestinians during the public holiday.

The primary tactic involves "breathing closures" and temporary roadblocks. These controls allow limited passage around specific cities, towns, and villages identified as potential flashpoints for violence. Troops stationed along the security barrier have been reinforced to address concerns over potential terrorist infiltration into Israel.

Brig. Gen. Kobi Heller, commander of the IDF's Judea and Samaria Division, has overseen operations in multiple locations over the last 24 hours. He emphasized the need for strengthened coordination among the Israel Police, Border Police, and the Shin Bet to ensure a rapid response to any incidents.

Security forces are also deploying additional troops to hiking sites where Israelis are expected to visit during the holiday. These visits were coordinated in advance to manage crowds and reduce the risk of conflict in areas where settler presence is common.

Arrest operations were launched in the Qalqilya, Jenin, and Nablus districts to increase pressure on the ground amid fears of attacks. Security forces conducted field interrogations and warned individuals accused of incitement. A security official told Walla that IDF engineering forces prepared to demolish illegal structures, terrorists' homes, and monuments to combat incitement and prevent copycat attacks.

In the Binyamin region, the Paratroopers Brigade headquarters, led by Col. Roi Zweig, continues operations against nationalist crime in the Shiloh Valley. Despite these efforts, security forces could not prevent incidents of settler violence overnight, including the torching of Palestinian vehicles in the area.