In the wake of a year-long war in Gaza, the West Bank is facing an economic crisis with soaring unemployment rates and a struggling economy. The World Bank has warned of a potential collapse due to Israeli restrictions preventing Palestinian laborers from entering Israel for work, coupled with a surge in violence.
Before the conflict, around 150,000 Palestinians from the West Bank legally crossed into Israel daily for employment in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. However, following security concerns after an attack by Hamas, Israeli authorities abruptly halted most Palestinian entries, leaving tens of thousands without jobs overnight.
Desperate for work, some Palestinians are resorting to smuggling themselves across the heavily guarded barrier into Israel, risking arrest or even gunfire from Israeli security forces. The economic downturn has forced many to sell possessions or turn to street vending to make ends meet.
The tightening grip of Israeli military checkpoints in the West Bank has further hampered commerce and movement, leading to layoffs and economic hardship. The surge in violence has resulted in hundreds of Palestinian casualties, with many losing their lives in clashes or while attempting to cross the barrier.
Despite the risks, Palestinian workers find themselves drawn to the higher wages available in Israel, where they can earn double or triple their West Bank salaries. Smuggling rings run by criminal gangs facilitate these crossings, charging fees to provide ladders, ropes, and transportation on the Israeli side.
While work is readily available in Israel due to labor shortages, Palestinian workers often face harsh conditions, including being confined to work sites to avoid detection. Those caught face imprisonment, fines, and bans from re-entering Israel.
For many like Sayyed Ayyed, the dire economic situation has pushed them to take extreme risks in search of work. Despite suffering injuries and losses, the prospect of providing for their families drives them to consider attempting the dangerous journey again if circumstances do not improve.
