Israel is drastically restricting movement in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war

Restricting movement is a major tool Israel uses to enforce its apartheid regime and control the Palestinian population in the Occupied Territories. The limitations are imposed on Palestinians wishing to move within the West Bank, travel between the West Bank and Gaza, enter Israel or travel abroad. For decades, Israel has imposed these restrictions on Palestinians only, while Israelis – including settlers – and other nationals move about freely. Since 7 October 2023, Israel has extremely tightened the restrictions, using its network of checkpoints to tighten supervision, setting up dozens of new checkpoints, blocking access from dozens of villages to main roads, and revoking all permits for Palestinians to enter Israel for work or other reasons. These restrictions do not allow Palestinians in the West Bank to maintain a reasonable routine and disrupt every area of life. They cause major financial losses, limit access to medical care and studies, and harm family life and social activities. They also create a state of constant uncertainty that makes it difficult to stick to a schedule: Palestinians who set out from home in the West Bank cannot know whether they will make it to work or when, whether they can keep a medical appointment and whether they can visit family. They may arrive, they may wait for hours at a checkpoint and be humiliated by soldiers, they may have to turn around and go home, or they may be arrested.