The college-age children have not been allowed to cross to the towns where their universities are. They sit at home, terrified and angry. Israeli authorities say closures are a necessary tool to prevent weapons and potential terrorists from entering Israel. But human rights activists have long complained that closures are a disproportionate, collective punishment that devastates the entire Palestinian economy. In addition to being blocked from entry into Israel, Palestinians are restricted in their attempts to move from village to village.
Palestinian villagers have difficulty traveling to hospitals, schools and markets in larger towns.
More than 2 million Palestinians are living under some level of closure. Israel has also imposed curfews in some areas. Life under siege has its dangers, risks and despair. The two exchange gunfire almost every night, and the Israeli soldiers have fired rockets into the neighborhood. The sides of the Abu Latifa house that face the Israeli base are covered with bullet and shrapnel holes, indicating sustained fire from heavy machine guns and other weapons.