Israel declares complete lockdown in West Bank, Al-Aqsa mosque closed, after Iran strikes

Israel implemented a complete lockdown across the occupied West Bank immediately after it struck Iran early Friday morning, erecting barriers, closing off roads, and restricting movement, with Palestinian cities isolated from surrounding towns and villages.

The Israeli army closed off all the entrances to Jericho and the King Hussein Bridge, which connects the West Bank to Jordan, in both directions with iron gates and military checkpoints.

All entrances leading to Bethlehem have also been closed off, using iron gates and dirt mounds.

Movement has been restricted in Qalqilya, where the army has shut the city's eastern entrance, blocked roads leading to villages east of the city, and set up a checkpoint at its southern entrance.

The eastern and southern entrances in Tulkarm have been closed, with soldiers preventing vehicles and civilians from approaching checkpoints. In Nablus, Israeli forces have shut off all the gates at the military checkpoints that surround the city.

The Israeli army also opened fire on civilians and journalists at the Deir Sharaf checkpoint, west of Nablus, local sources told Wafa.

The army also tightened its restrictions in the Hamra and Tayasir areas, closing off checkpoints in the vicinity, including the Tayasir checkpoint east of Tubas, in both directions.

Israeli forces also kicked Muslim worshippers out of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and sealed its gates as they were performing the dawn prayer, preventing them from remaining inside the holy site.

Following its strikes on Iran, Israel warned its citizens to stay home and prepare food and supplies to last for the next two weeks.

However Palestinians in the West Bank were not given any guidance and are "doing their best to prepare for nearby strikes".

Israeli settlements across the West Bank however have shelters, military instructions, protection, and safeguards, while Palestinians are forced to fend for themselves.

More casualties in Gaza

Amid the attack on Iran, Israel continued its deadly strikes on Gaza, targeting several areas across the enclave.

A group of civilians were targeted by Israeli airstrikes south of Deir al-Balah, while a home in a refugee camp in Nuseirat was also struck.

Israeli airstrikes also targeted a group of civilians at the Sanfour junction, east of the Al-Tuffah neighbourhood in Gaza City. Israeli artillery fire also targeted the Hamad Residential City in Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip.

The Nasser Hospital, the second largest in the Gaza Strip, is at risk of forced closure, with Israel ordering the evacuation of medical departments. Officials have warned its closure could lead to the collapse of the entire medical infrastructure that one million Gazans in the south rely on.

The UN General Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urging nations to take "all measures necessary" to place pressure on Israel.

Following the United States' veto of a similar push in the Security Council last week, the General Assembly adopted the non-binding resolution by a vote of 149-12, with 19 abstentions.

The text demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza, as well as "the immediate and unconditional release of all [captives]" seized during the 7 October attacks.

However, it goes further than the US-vetoed text, taking direct aim at Israel over its stoppage of aid deliveries into the Gaza Strip.

It "demands that Israel, the occupying power, immediately end the blockade...and ensure that aid reaches the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip", which, after more than 20 months of war, is facing a catastrophic humanitarian situation.

It also calls on all UN members to "individually and collectively take all measures necessary, in line with international law... to ensure compliance by Israel with its obligations".

Qatar has reportedly submitted a draft ceasefire proposal to Hamas, based on an outline by US Middle East envoy Hady Amr, not Steve Witkoff, The Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday. The sources said Israel might send a delegation for further talks in Qatar or Egypt should the talks progress.

Israel's war has killed over 55,000 Palestinians since 7 October, not including the thousands missing and trapped under the rubble, presumed dead.