The Palestinian Foreign Ministry is urging international governments to take “clear and firm positions” on escalating violence in the West Bank just days before Israel’s parliamentary elections. A day after attacks by Palestinian gunmen killed two soldiers, Israel imposed widespread lockdowns, with more than 1,000 residents displaced in the city of Hebron. All gates entering and exiting the city were closed to vehicles, according to Basma Radio, a Telegram channel that Palestinians use to monitor checkpoints and road closures. The mayor of Hebron accused the Israelis of besieging his city. On Friday, Israel’s military said that in response to the attacks, its forces had begun “conducting precise, targeted and comprehensive searches” in the area where the gunmen had operated. In a statement on social media, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said Israel’s actions included the “forced displacement and destruction, and closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque shrine.” The ministry accused the Israeli military of attacking Palestinian citizens and their property, warning against a repeat of what it called the “ongoing crimes in the Gaza Strip.” 2:04 ‘Collective punishment’: UN condemns Israel’s demolition of Palestinian homes in the West Bank The statement said Israel is “constituting measures to reproduce the Nakba with renewed military and colonial tools, amid the Israeli electoral race and the pursuit of political gains at the expense of Palestinian national rights.” Get daily national news Get daily Canadian news delivered to your inbox so you never miss the day’s top stories. The escalation of the conflict comes just three days before Israelis vote in a national election. Polls suggest that three years of war have eroded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s support. With more than 1,500 Palestinians killed in Gaza since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect in October 2025, Israelis in Canada said they are voting again in what looks like a “last chance” election. Story continues below ad The death toll comes from the Gaza Ministry of Health. The ministry maintains detailed records and is generally considered reliable by UN agencies and independent experts. As part of the Hamas-led government, the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants, but says women and children account for almost half of the dead. “This seems almost like the last chance, the last heartbeat, to defeat the Netanyahu movement and get this country back on track. The desperation is palpable. It’s always been stressful and difficult, but right now it feels like it’s really the last chance,” an Israeli-Canadian told the Associated Press. More on the world More videos He said his family, many of whom still live in Israel, have been pleading with him to come back and vote. “And I just realized that it would be very unpleasant for me to keep saying no and no and no,” he said. Although these Israelis live outside the Middle East, they still feel the effects of what was called a “vendetta” in Gaza. “I am ashamed to say that I am from Israel,” he said. “I feel like I have to apologize. I’m sorry I’m from this country that’s doing such horrible things.” He said he owes it to his friends, family and fellow Israelis to come back and make their vote count. Netanyahu, 77, is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister and longtime leader of the Likud Party. In 2024, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He is also involved in a years-long legal battle in his country, accused of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes. He denies any wrongdoing. Netanyahu’s main opponent in the elections is Gadi Eisenkot, 66, who positions himself as a moderate alternative. Eisenkot rose through the ranks of the Israeli army, eventually becoming chief of staff. He also served as an observer in Netanyahu’s war cabinet, but resigned after eight months, accusing the prime minister of lacking a clear strategy. Also on the ballot are former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the national security minister. Itamar Ben-Gvir and Mansour Abbas, leader of the Arab-Muslim political party Ra’am.– With files from The Associated Press © 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.