Israel Erects Fence Restricting Access in West Bank Sinjil Town

The Palestinian town of Sinjil in the West Bank has been effectively transformed into a 'big prison' by a five-meter-high metal fence, steel gates, and roadblocks erected by Israeli forces. The barrier, which restricts access to a single guarded entrance, was justified by the Israeli military as necessary to protect the nearby Ramallah-Nablus highway from stone-throwing and public disturbances, but residents say it severs them from 2,000 acres of their land and cuts off their livelihoods. Since the start of the Gaza war, such barriers and checkpoints have increased across the West Bank, putting towns like Sinjil under what many describe as permanent siege. The fencing has caused significant hardship, forcing residents to take long detours and endure checkpoint delays, which have damaged economic activity and family connections. Palestinian officials warn that these restrictions risk fueling radicalization and that the increased isolation reflects broader concerns over potential West Bank annexation amid rising far-right influence in Israel's government. While Israeli authorities maintain the security rationale, Palestinian residents and leaders view the measures as unjust repression that deepens the hardships of daily life.