RAMALLAH, December 2, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli forces have maintained the complete closure of the Atara military checkpoint and the entrance to the village of Umm Safa, both north of Ramallah, since Tuesday morning, according to local and security sources.
The closures, combined with significantly tightened military procedures at the nearby Ain Sinya checkpoint and the establishment of a new flying checkpoint at the entrance to Silwad town, have severely disrupted daily life and movement for Palestinians in the northern Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate, the sources told WAFA
The military measures have triggered severe traffic jams on the main routes, specifically the road connecting the village of Yabrud and the Al-Jalazone refugee camp, turning routine commutes into hours-long ordeals.
In response to the escalating restrictions, several schools in the Ramallah and Al-Bireh area have announced that Wednesday's schedule will be converted to a remote task day, with in-person attendance postponed until Thursday.
According to a report issued by the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission in October, the total number of permanent and temporary checkpoints (gates, military or earthen roadblocks) that divide the Palestinian territories and impose restrictions on the movement of individuals and goods has reached a total of 916 so far, including military checkpoints and gates. Among these, 243 are iron gates installed after October 7, 2023.
A.D./T.R.
