Living in the Shadow of War: Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank Struggle with Increased Raids, Arrests, and Settler Violence

Life in the occupied West Bank has become even more challenging for Palestinians as they navigate the ongoing war in Gaza. The impact of the conflict is felt in increased raids and arrests, tightening security restrictions, settler violence, and economic turmoil. Two individuals, Laith Al-Muti and Wijdan Ziadeh, shared their experiences of how their lives and livelihoods have been reshaped by the war, with concerns that some of these changes may be long-lasting.

29-year-old taxi driver and tour guide Laith Al-Muti now spends his days waiting at an Israeli-controlled checkpoint into Bethlehem, but with barely any visitors coming through, his business has come to a standstill. Similarly, Wijdan Ziadeh in the Tel Rumeida area of Hebron faces restrictions on her movement, living in fear of settler aggression towards her and her sons.

The Israeli military has stated that security measures in the West Bank have increased in response to terrorist operatives, including Hamas, with forces in Tel Rumeida to ensure the safety of all residents. However, Palestinians in the area feel that the military is there to protect the settlers, with incidents of settler violence against Palestinians on the rise since the war began.

Both Al-Muti and Ziadeh express uncertainty about the future, as the places they once frequented with tourists now sit empty. With no clear path forward, they, like many others in the West Bank, are left wondering what comes next in a region plagued by conflict and uncertainty.