Israeli army shuts checkpoints, blocks 104 teachers, disrupting schooling for 1,100 West Bank students

RAMALLAH, September 20 - The Israeli army has shut two checkpoints in the northern West Bank, preventing over 100 Palestinian teachers from reaching their schools, according to an education official. Azmi Balawneh, the director of education in Tubas Governorate, reported that 104 teachers were unable to reach their schools following the closure of the Tayasir and Ein Shibli checkpoints in the northern Jordan Valley, as reported by WAFA.

He stated that these closures disrupted classes at six schools and a kindergarten, which together cater to approximately 1,100 students.

The Israeli army implemented these closures as part of a broader set of military restrictions across the occupied West Bank. Separately, Israeli forces conducted a raid on the village of Al-Mughayyir, located east of Ramallah in the central West Bank. They closed the village's main entrance and arrested several Palestinians. Local sources provided Anadolu with information that a significant Israeli military force entered the village early Sunday, with units deployed throughout the neighborhoods and conducting searches of Palestinian homes.

Supported by infantry units, military vehicles, and a drone, the force aimed to disrupt school attendance and prevent workers and employees from accessing their workplaces. Al-Mughayr has a history of repeated Israeli raids and attacks, particularly amid escalating tensions caused by Israeli settlers targeting Palestinians and their properties in the region.

Since the beginning of Israel's war on Gaza in October 2023, the Israeli army and settlers have increased their attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.