West Bank closures alarm UN chief Guterres

West Bank closures imposed by Israel after a deadly attack near Hebron have left UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres deeply concerned, the UN said on Friday, 23 October 2026, warning of intensifying violence in the occupied territory.

West Bank closures: A mother and her children go through belongings after a room in their home was burned in a settler attack in southern Hebron (file photo, July 2025) — A mother and her children go through belongings after a room in their home was burned in a settler attack in southern Hebron (file photo, July 2025) Photo: UNICEF/Rawan Eleyan via UN News (editorial use with credit).

What led to the West Bank closures

Two Israeli soldiers were killed and at least five injured when gunmen opened fire near a military checkpoint outside Hebron, according to news reports cited by UN News, and the two Palestinian attackers were also killed. UN News said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Hebron sealed and pledged house-to-house raids and home demolitions. It is the fourth time in a month that Israel has imposed restrictions across the territory. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at the noon briefing in New York that Mr Guterres was deeply concerned by the closures and by reports of home demolitions and possible displacement in Hebron, saying they severely restrict Palestinians’ movement, access to services and livelihoods.

Key Facts

Attack near Hebron: 2 Israeli soldiers killed, at least 5 injured (news reports)
Restrictions across the West Bank: fourth time in a month
Settler attacks logged by OHCHR, 1 to 14 Oct: 160+
Ibrahimi Mosque closed for Friday prayers
Olive harvest access blocked for thousands of farmers

“Those closures severely restrict Palestinians' freedom of movement, access to basic services and livelihoods.”
— Stephane Dujarric, UN Spokesperson

OHCHR on Hebron and the olive harvest

Mayy El Sheikh, spokesperson for the UN human rights office (OHCHR) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, called the lockdown yet another episode in a stream of suffocating measures. She said it follows a pattern of collective punishment whenever Palestinians commit acts of violence against Israeli settlers or soldiers. Hebron’s entrances and exits were closed after the attack and the Ibrahimi Mosque was shut, leaving worshippers unable to perform Friday prayers. She said Israeli movement restrictions were already stopping thousands of Palestinian farmers from reaching their olive trees for the harvest, which she said is bound to have devastating effects on the season. She said similar incidents in the past had brought lockdowns, intensified raids and arbitrary detentions.

Settler attacks and Guterres's appeal

OHCHR has documented more than 160 settler attacks in the first two weeks of October alone, involving live ammunition, arson, crop theft and damage to olive groves, UN News said. Settlers also targeted European Union diplomats, and a Washington Post photojournalist was badly assaulted by masked settlers near Ramallah while covering the harvest. Mr Guterres condemned the violence caused by record numbers of settler attacks against Palestinians in 2026 and recalled Israel’s duty as the occupying power to protect Palestinians and hold perpetrators to account. He also remained concerned about civilian deaths and aid restrictions in Gaza ahead of winter, and urged all parties to stop violence and show restraint. OHCHR said attacks during the harvest season have damaged many olive groves. The UN chief said all parties must refrain from any action that could further inflame tensions in the West Bank.

Why It Matters: The closures come during the olive harvest, a key source of income for Palestinian families, and amid record levels of settler violence.

Source: UN News, 23 Oct 2026 · OHCHR: Occupied Palestinian Territory · OCHA oPt