Israeli restrictions fragment West Bank, cripple economy

Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement in the occupied West Bank have intensified since October 2023, fragmenting society and crippling the economy. Checkpoints, roadblocks, and permit systems disrupt trade, with Area C agricultural lands increasingly inaccessible due to military zones and settler violence. The economy, heavily dependent on trade with Israel, suffers costly delays and intermediaries, while Palestinians risk death attempting illegal crossings for work.