Mapping Israel’s 300 checkpoints: Where they are and how they work

What Happened

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered a week-long closure of all crossings between Israel and the occupied West Bank, effective from Sunday until Saturday, citing the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. During this period, Israeli forces have intensified movement restrictions, including blocking roads and establishing additional checkpoints in the Ramallah and el-Bireh governorate, specifically impacting the towns of Turmus Aya, Aboud, Nabi Saleh, Atara, and Taybeh. These measures further limit Palestinian access to holy sites, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, while barring most Palestinian permit holders from entering Israel or Israeli settlements.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The closure exacerbates the economic crisis in the West Bank, where unemployment has risen to 30.7 percent as of September 2024, according to the rights group Gisha. By restricting movement and access to labor markets, these measures deepen the isolation of Palestinian communities and further complicate the humanitarian situation in the occupied territory, which has seen increased military raids and settler violence since October 2023.

Watch For

Monitor the status of the closure after Saturday and observe whether the IDF maintains the additional checkpoints in the Ramallah and el-Bireh governorate. Additionally, track any further reports from Gisha or UN OCHA regarding the impact of these restrictions on Palestinian access to essential services and employment.