checkpoints and road blocks, known as closures, are a policy of physical barriers and permit...

•Checkpoints and road blocks, known as “closures”, are a policy of physical barriers and permit requirements used to control Palestinian pedestrian and vehicular movement.

•The closures are imposed by the Israeli military as a security measure to protect its citizens.

•These closures severely impact the humanitarian and socio-economic situation of Palestinians in the West Bank.

ClosuresFebruary 2007

The West Bank

West Bank(5,600 km2)

Palestinian Built-up areas in the West Bankpop. 2,444,500PCBS 2006

161 Israeli settlements,96 outposts(183 km2)pop. 406,500ICBS 2004

Israeli military closed areas and 27 military bases(1,006 km2)

(As of 5 Oct 2006)

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The Closures

CheckpointCheckpointA barrier manned by IDF and/or Border Police with observation towers and other physical blocks used to control pedestrian and vehicular access.

Partial CheckpointPartial CheckpointAn established checkpoint operating periodically.

TrenchTrenchA ditch dug across or along roads used to prevent vehicle movement.

Road GateRoad GateA metal gate used to control Palestinian movement between roads.

RoadblockRoadblockA series of 1 metre concrete blocks placed across roads used by Palestinians to obstruct vehicle movement.

EarthmoundEarthmoundA mound of rubble, dirt, and boulders placed in the middle of a road used by Palestinians to obstruct vehicle movement.

EarthwallEarthwallA series of earthmounds less than 50m apart.

RoadbarrieRoadbarrierr2 metre high fencing along West Bank roads which are reserved, generally, forIsraeli traffic. These fences impede Palestinians from using and crossing these roads many of which run between main cities.

West Bank BarrierWest Bank BarrierThe Barrier is an additional impediment to Palestinian movement. A 703km long complex series of 8-9m high concrete walls, electronic fences, observation towers, trenches, patrol roads and razor wire used to block Palestinian pedestrian and vehicular movement inside the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Israeli SettlementsIsraeli Military Closed Areas

“Flying” checkpoints

In addition to the several hundred fixed closures, random or “flying” checkpoints further restrict Palestinian movement.

455 of these random checkpoints were observed during January 2007.

Closures UpdateNumber of closures by type ( 22 February 2007)

TOTAL (22 February 2007)550

EarthmoundsA mound of rubble, dirt and/or rocks used to obstruct vehicle access.

211

CheckpointsA barrier manned by IDF and/or Border Police.

72

35.9 km

TrenchesA ditch used to prevent vehicle crossing.

12

Road GatesA metal gate, often manned by IDF, used to control movement along roads.

95

RoadblocksA series of 1 metre high concrete blocks used to obstruct vehicle access.

60

Earth WallsA continuous wall or seriesof earth mounds used to restrict access.

16 10.1 km

Partial CheckpointsAn established checkpoint operating periodically.

12

Road barriersRoad barriers placed alongside major roads prevent movement across the roads.

72 82.2 km

735710

659680

605

376

465

515552

527550

Nov/03 Mar/04 Jul/04 Nov/04 Mar/05 Jul/05 Nov/05 Mar/06 Jul/06 Nov/06 Mar/07

*Figures include checkpoints and physical obstacles, data collected by OCHA

Number of West Bank Closures

Disengagement

46% increase

since disengagement

Closures UpdateNo improvement in Palestinian movement

•Under the 4th Geneva Convention, Israel, as an occupying power may apply security measures for immediate military need and specific threat.

•However, the closure system is collectively applied to all Palestinians throughout the West Bank.

•For any improvement in the humanitarian and socio-economic situation, the closures must be removed.

Photo by OCHA/Steve Sabella

Closures and the Humanitarian Situation

USE

This Power Point Presentation may be used, however, must be accompanied by the date and source.

METHODS

OCHA oPt has been monitoring the closures since 2003. Our field teams record the obstacles with a GPS unit. These files are used to make maps. The figures are regularly updated.

MORE RESOURCES

OCHA-oPt documents and maps are available at <www.ochaopt.org>

CONTACT

Email <ochaopt@un.org>Phone +972 (0) 2582-9962

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Methods and Credits