Sinjil Residents Describe Life Under Blockade and Settler Attacks
Gaza — The Palestinian town of Sinjil, located in the occupied West Bank, has become the focal point of growing concern after reports of an Israeli army blockade and increased violence from Israeli settlers.
According to a detailed report by Middle East Eye, residents of Sinjil say their daily lives have been upended by a combination of physical barriers and ongoing threats.
“We Are Trapped”
Middle East Eye quotes Sinjil resident Fawzi al-Haj as saying, “We are trapped in our own town.” The Israeli army, according to locals, erected a concrete wall and earth mounds at the main entrance to Sinjil, effectively sealing off the town from the main road to Ramallah. “We used to be able to leave for work, school, or medical care. Now, every movement is a challenge,” al-Haj told the publication.
Surge in Settler Violence
The blockade has coincided with a surge in attacks by Israeli settlers. Residents report that settlers have targeted homes, vehicles, and farmland, causing widespread fear. “They come at night, throwing stones and sometimes setting fire to fields,” said another resident, Samah Zahran, in an interview with Middle East Eye. “We call the authorities, but nothing is done to stop them.”
The report notes that Sinjil is one of several Palestinian towns experiencing a rise in settler violence, particularly since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. According to the United Nations, there has been a significant increase in such incidents across the West Bank.
Israeli workers seen constructing a wall around Sinjil. Photo credit: MEE/Mohammed Turkman.
Impact on Daily Life
The blockade has severely disrupted daily routines for Sinjil’s 6,000 residents. “People can’t get to their jobs, students are missing school, and farmers can’t reach their land,” said Fawzi al-Haj. The town’s mayor, Hazem Shqeirat, told Middle East Eye, “We are completely isolated. The wall has cut us off from our livelihoods.”
Medical emergencies have become particularly challenging. “If someone needs an ambulance, it takes much longer to arrive, and sometimes the soldiers refuse to let it through,” Shqeirat added.
Israeli Army Response
When contacted by Middle East Eye, the Israeli army stated that the blockade was a “security measure” in response to recent “security incidents” in the area. The army did not comment on the allegations of settler violence or the impact on Sinjil’s residents.
Human Rights Concerns
Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the situation in Sinjil and other affected towns. “Collective punishment of civilians is prohibited under international law,” said a spokesperson for the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, quoted by Middle East Eye. “Blocking access to essential services and livelihoods is a violation of basic rights.”
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has also documented the increase in movement restrictions and settler violence in the West Bank, warning of the humanitarian impact on Palestinian communities.
“We just want to live in peace, to be able to work and send our children to
school,” said Samah Zahran. “We hope the world will not ignore our suffering.”
Sinjil’s residents are calling for international attention and intervention. “We just want to live in peace, to be able to work and send our children to school,” said Samah Zahran. “We hope the world will not ignore our suffering.”
Local leaders have appealed to Palestinian authorities and international organizations to help lift the blockade and protect the town from further attacks.
The situation in Sinjil highlights the broader challenges faced by Palestinian communities in the West Bank amid ongoing conflict and political uncertainty. As residents continue to navigate daily life under blockade and the threat of violence, calls for a resolution and respect for human rights grow louder.
Reference: Middle East Eye: Sinjil: Palestinian town besieged by settler violence and Israeli army wall
