Gaza: The Israeli occupation authorities have implemented a new policy requiring special permits for residents in the Khalayleh neighborhood and the villages of Beit Iksa and Nabi Samwil, located northwest of occupied Jerusalem. This policy imposes restrictions on the movement of residents to and from their villages.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, this measure further isolates the communities, reinforcing movement restrictions and land control. Residents without the necessary permits will not be able to pass through the military checkpoint at the entrances to these villages. The policy intensifies the isolation of these communities and strengthens Israeli control.
The villages are already isolated due to the separation Wall, checkpoints, and military gates, which limit urban expansion. Residents face prohibitions on building new homes or bringing in essential supplies without special permits, leading to a decline in population growth.
Approximately a month ago, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, from the hard-right faction, approved the construction of thousands of colonial units in the E1 area, east of occupied Jerusalem. This development threatens the potential establishment of a Palestinian state, affects geographical and demographic unity, and isolates Jerusalem from its surroundings. It also severs continuity between Jerusalem and Palestinian communities and expands the borders of the occupation municipality by annexing the Ma'ale Adumim colonial bloc.
Beit Iksa is home to around 2,000 residents and covers approximately 9,000 dunams. Nabi Samwil spans roughly 3,500 dunams, but only 1,050 dunams remain accessible to its 300 residents after much of the land was seized. The Khalayleh neighborhood has about 650 residents living on approximately 4,000 dunams, surrounded by four colonies encroaching on its land.
