Israel's West Bank Road Closures Turn Routine Journeys into Long Ordeals for Palestinians

Israel's tightened movement restrictions and road closures across the West Bank are severely impacting Palestinians' daily lives and access to essential services. These measures lead to significant delays in medical care and transform routine journeys into lengthy and arduous ordeals.

Zahriya Abu Hijleh, a 66-year-old Palestinian woman, reportedly died after being unable to reach a hospital in time due to an iron gate closed by Israeli forces. Her family stated that she might have been saved had the gate been open.

Highlights

• Israeli road closures and checkpoints in the West Bank are hindering Palestinians' daily lives and access to emergency medical care.
• A Palestinian woman allegedly died due to delays in reaching a hospital caused by a closed gate.
• Palestinians are forced to wait for hours to reach work, schools, and hospitals, sometimes spending nights on the road.
• Civil society organizations report 942 checkpoints and obstacles across the West Bank.
• These restrictions often intensify during Jewish holidays.

Details

Israel frequently imposes closures in the West Bank, particularly during Jewish holidays, by erecting iron gates and military checkpoints at the entrances to various cities, towns, and villages. This significantly impacts Palestinian life. For instance, Mohammed Abu Hijleh's mother, Zahriya Abu Hijleh, fell ill in Deir Istiya and needed to be transported to Salfit Governmental Hospital, an eight-minute drive away. However, a closed gate prevented the ambulance from entering the town, causing a critical delay. According to her family, this delay contributed to Zahriya's death from a pulmonary embolism.

According to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission (CRRC), there were 942 checkpoints, closure points, and obstacles across the occupied West Bank as of September 25, an increase from 793 in March 2024. Data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicates that the total length of these obstacles is approximately 107.7 kilometers. These barriers effectively fragment Palestinian communities, making access to workplaces, schools, medical facilities, and agricultural land dependent on the opening of roads and crossings.

Why it matters

Israel's movement restrictions in the West Bank impede Palestinians' access to fundamental human rights and paralyze their daily lives. Difficulties in reaching emergency medical services can lead to loss of life, while education and economic activities are also negatively affected. This situation exacerbates tensions in the region, potentially undermining efforts for lasting peace.