Israel is in the process of erecting a new 13-mile-long separation fence in the Jordan Valley. The wall will isolate Palestinian villages and cut off farmers from their land.
According to Haaretz, the IDF is in the advanced stage of building the barrier. Last month, Israel informed several Palestinian families that their land in the southern Jordan Valley would be seized, and they must destroy any structures on the property.
The outlet notes that the new fence will significantly restrict Palestinians’ freedom of movement throughout the Jordan Valley. The wall will cut shepherds off from grazing areas. Additionally, the wall will include roads for the IDF and embankments. The total land seized is about 270 acres.
Israel has already erected over 400 miles of separation barriers across the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The walls wind between Palestinian cities and Israeli settlements, creating significant restrictions on Palestinians’ ability to move within the West Bank.
Palestinians who need to cross the barriers are forced to cross checkpoints manned by Israeli soldiers. The Palestinians are frequently humiliated, harassed, and killed at the checkpoints.
Human rights groups and international bodies have criticized the separation walls for harming the Palestinian economy, dividing communities, and creating the conditions for Israel to annex the West Bank.
