Checkpoint of fear: The Israeli blockade terrorizing a Palestinian village

In the village of Deir Sharaf, located in the occupied West Bank, an Israeli military checkpoint casts a long shadow over the daily lives of residents already burdened by the presence of an illegal Israeli settlement. This checkpoint, initially just a dirt mound in 2022, is a constant reminder of the ongoing violence that Palestinians face as they navigate the 800 or so checkpoints and roadblocks spread across the West Bank.

The checkpoint, which disrupts access to several northern cities, has made travel incredibly dangerous. Adam Ali, a 55-year-old father from the village, recounts witnessing the shooting death of 18-year-old Walid Hussein by Israeli soldiers. Despite being accused by the military of carrying a knife, witnesses, including Adam and his son, insist that Walid was unarmed and posed no threat. His death was likened to a public execution, with soldiers standing by as he bled out.

Since the checkpoint’s establishment, it has been a site of repeated violence, with two deaths and several injuries, especially since the rise of tensions following Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023. As a result, the region has become a hotspot for deadly clashes, with many fearing that Israel's ongoing military operations could escalate further.

Local residents of Deir Sharaf describe their lives as living in a constant state of terror, as they face daily intimidation and violence from both Israeli forces and settlers from the nearby illegal Shavei Shomron settlement. Mayor Shadi Abu Halaweh states that there is no other place like Deir Sharaf in the West Bank, with its checkpoint dividing the village and fundamentally altering the community’s way of life. Since its installation, violence has intensified, and the local population now fears for their safety, with many witnessing or experiencing violence firsthand.

The presence of the checkpoint has raised concerns about the broader strategy behind it: while Israel claims that checkpoints are meant to curb armed resistance, Palestinians view them as a tool for controlling movement and fostering fear among civilians.