New Delhi, Nov. 30 -- RAMALLAH, West Bank - Israeli forces tightened their grip on the occupied West Bank on Friday, forcing Palestinian communities into a suffocating lockdown as military raids escalated into what local leaders describe as a campaign of collective punishment. Checkpoints sealed off major cities like Ramallah and Nablus, stranding residents and halting the flow of goods, while armored vehicles rumbled through narrow streets in search of militants. This assault, now in its fifth day, has drawn sharp condemnation from United Nations officials, who accused troops of carrying out what appeared to be summary executions of unarmed Palestinians waving white flags in surrender.

The timing could not be more provocative. Just week...