They reach Ramallah totally exhausted, but satisfied that they were able to dodge the Israeli army and reached the city. But their feeling of triumph is short-lived since they have to finish their business quickly and return to their villages during daylight taking the same risks they took earlier. This concern is shared not only by the people who live in the Ramallah area villages, but also by all Palestinians everywhere in the West Bank and Gaza. Since Israel has imposed what it refers to as internal closure and what Palestinians call siege on their population centers about two months ago, Palestinians have been creative in looking for roads that take them out of their places of residence to reach other areas. Finding alternative routes is important, say the Palestinians, in order to get a sick person to hospital and to get basic supplies into their besieged areas.
Many villages already report serious shortages in basic food supplies, such as baby food, and fuel.
International relief organizations, including the Red Cross, are trying to help out by getting in food supplies where they are needed most, but the supplies are usually not enough.