Israeli gates and checkpoints turn Hebron's Old City into a restricted ghost town

In recent days Israeli authorities placed three iron gates across a 200-metre section of Hebron's Old City, joining a broader web of checkpoints that already covers about 40% of the city's H2 zone. The gates block key routes such as al-Zahid Road and al-Shalala Street, forcing Palestinians to wait hours for entry and often diverting them through unsafe paths. Approximately 7,000 residents in the area, where hundreds of settlers live, can only pass through if they possess specific identification numbers, and checkpoints operate mainly between 7 am and 8 pm.

Long-time shop owner Badr al-Tamimi says the restrictions have paralyzed economic activity and turned the historic district into a ghost town, while mayor Yousef al-Jabari estimates around 10,000 people are impacted by curfews and limited vehicle access. The surge in restrictions follows the October 2023 Gaza conflict, raising the total checkpoints to 32 and obstacles to more than 130, a trend viewed by locals as an effort to pressure Palestinians and expand settler presence.