Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative Dr. Mustafa Barghouti says the Israeli army’s closure of hundreds of checkpoints and military gates throughout the West Bank has led to widespread paralysis of public life and created a dire humanitarian and economic situation affecting all segments of the Palestinian population.
Barghouti told Jordan 24 these measures have not only restricted movement but have effectively fragmented the West Bank and isolated cities and towns from one another. Travel between governorates now takes many hours or is often impossible, which, he described as a de facto undeclared curfew imposed on millions of Palestinians.
He pointed out the health sector is among the most severely affected, with patients facing significant difficulties accessing hospitals and medical centers, particularly emergency cases and patients requiring dialysis and cancer treatment. He noted delays in accessing treatment can endanger many lives. Medical personnel also face frequent obstacles while traveling, further weakening the ability of healthcare institutions to perform their duties.
Barghouti also explained that students and teachers face daily obstacles in reaching their schools and universities, which disrupts the educational process and disrupts school attendance, especially in villages and areas surrounded by checkpoints. He added this situation negatively impacts the psychological and social well-being of students and their families.
He emphasized the economic damage is severe, as checkpoints impede the movement of workers and goods and prevent products from reaching markets, causing significant losses for merchants, farmers, and small business owners. He also pointed out that the disruption of internal movement weakens commercial activity and deepens the economic recession, amidst already difficult living conditions.
Barghouti stated that many Palestinian villages and towns have been transformed into closed areas resembling prisons, deprived of the most basic necessities and human services. He stressed that these policies constitute a form of collective punishment and exacerbate the suffering of the citizens.
He called on the international community to intervene urgently to stop these measures and ensure freedom of movement for Palestinians, stressing that the continued closure of checkpoints exacerbates tensions and undermines any opportunities for stability in the region.
Israel has installed 1000 security barriers in the occupied West Bank since 7 October, 2023.
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