Palestinian residents lean against a gate watched by an Israeli soldier in Hebron, occupied West Bank on October 4, 2026. The Israeli army installed three new military gates near the entrance to Hebron's Old City, further isolating the area from other parts of the city. Local shop owners reported that the new military closures affect over 1,000 commercial shops and 500 residential homes in the area. (Photo by Mosab Shawer / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)
LET CHILDREN LIVE CAMPAIGN
Please pray that movement restrictions for West Bank children and families are lifted.
“God of compassion and justice, we lift up Palestinians in the West Bank living under the constant weight of closures, checkpoints, and restricted movement. Place a shield of protection over the children and parents who face chronic delays, fear and harassment at checkpoints and other movement barriers. Grant them strength, resilience, and the unyielding right to live in dignity, to work, to go to school, to farm agricultural land, and to move freely across the West Bank. We pray for the dismantling of barriers that divide families, communities, and livelihoods."
"Holy God, we reject the hatred, exclusivity, and barriers that prevent Palestinian Muslim and Christian siblings from exercising their fundamental right to worship in Jerusalem and at sites like the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Ibrahimi Mosque. Protect the dignity of all worshippers facing checkpoints and turned-away permits and surround them with your peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.”
Context: The Impact of movement restrictions on West Bank children and families
“Arbitrariness itself becomes a form of torment when every journey, every appointment and every family visit depends on whether a gate is open or a soldier allows passage,” said Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967.
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank face severe movement restrictions, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documenting 925 checkpoints and physical obstacles across the territory (about the size of Delaware) as of late 2025.
The dense network of military checkpoints, earth mounds, gates, and roadblocks forces millions of Palestinians to experience massive delays, unexpected rerouting, or complete travel blockages when trying to reach work, school, universities, hospitals, or family members.
Over 14,000 Palestinians holding West Bank IDs who live between the West Bank Barrier and the Green Line must coordinate their access through Israeli checkpoints for daily needs.
Israeli authorities require Palestinian farmers to obtain special "prior coordination" permits or navigate complex military procedures to access plots located near settlements, behind the West Bank barrier, or on land classified as "State land". Permits are frequently delayed, denied, or revoked.
Tightened security measures and age/gender limitations by Israeli authorities have frequently restricted thousands of West Bank worshippers from reaching sacred sites such as Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem and the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.
Leaving the West Bank or entering East Jerusalem and Israel requires Israeli-issued exit and entry permits, which involve arbitrary, non-transparent screening and approval processes.
Additional Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DPjC3xfYK04
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1371779595124913
https://www.ochaopt.org/content/movement-and-access-west-bank-april-2026
