Israeli forces sealed the entrances to the Beit Ula industrial zone near Hebron on November 4, isolating roughly 60 Palestinian businesses and threatening the livelihoods of 2,500 workers. Business owner Fayez al-Amleh said raw materials cannot get in and products cannot get out; employees at his factory have had their hours cut or moved to part-time work.
Just days after the 10-day siege on Hebron was lifted on November 2, the blockade on Beit Ula’s industrial zone began. Hebron and surrounding areas were hit hard by Israeli military operations after two Israeli soldiers were killed by suspected Palestinian gunmen at a checkpoint near the Palestinian city on October 23. The siege led to losses of more than 12 million shekels ($3.8 million) a day, according to Hebron Mayor Yousef al-Jabari.
Fayez al-Amleh, whose TB.LOC factory produces fire-resistant doors, said his daily sales dropped from 70,000 shekels ($21,988) to between 2,000 and 3,000 shekels ($628 to $942). His employees have had their hours cut or moved to part-time work. “Today, raw materials cannot get in, and we cannot get our products out of the industrial zone,” he told Al Jazeera.
“This road closure is not just a closure. It is closing the doors of livelihood for all the workers,” said Ayman al-Adam, who has worked at the zone for about three years.
Beyond the blockade, Israeli forces have demolished four industrial facilities and established a nearby settlement outpost. Palestinians view these as part of a broader effort to take control of land around the zone.
Palestinian Minister of National Economy Mohammad al-Amour described the measures as a war on the Palestinian economy, with about 60 economic facilities completely isolated. Mahmoud Allan, head of the North Hebron Chamber of Commerce and Industry, appealed for the zone to be reopened, warning that some major establishments could be forced to close.
Israel has said the restrictions are due to Beit Ula being responsible for the movement of workers into Israel without work permits. Al-Amleh rejected the allegation, saying he considers the restrictions a form of collective punishment against Palestinian businesses and workers.
Al-Amleh said that if the siege on the industrial zone continues, more factories could be forced to shut down, severely affecting the economic viability of Beit Ula and nearby towns.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The industrial zone is a key economic hub in the occupied West Bank; its isolation directly threatens the incomes of 2,500 workers and could have cascading effects on the regional economy.
- The measures come amid a broader Israeli military campaign in the West Bank, raising concerns about the economic viability of Palestinian communities.
- If factories close permanently, it could deepen unemployment and poverty, potentially fueling further instability.
Background
Beit Ula industrial zone hosts about 60 factories producing metal goods, electrical cabinets, construction materials and other products. The October 2026 killing of two Israeli soldiers near Hebron triggered a 10-day siege of the city. Days after that siege ended, Israeli forces sealed the industrial zone and took other actions including demolitions and settlement expansion. The zone’s closure cuts off businesses from supplies and customers.
Key Perspectives
Israeli government: attributes the closure to Beit Ula’s role in allowing workers to enter Israel without permits, justifying the restrictions.
Palestinian business owners and officials: reject this explanation, viewing it as collective punishment and a deliberate effort to economically cripple Palestinian areas. They warn of imminent factory closures and loss of livelihoods.
What to Watch
- Whether the industrial zone will be reopened in the coming weeks or if further restrictions will be imposed.
- The potential for additional protests or international pressure on Israel to lift the blockade.
- The impact on other industrial areas in the West Bank as Israel expands its military operations.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe Beit Ula blockade threatens the Palestinian economy.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Siege on Hebron’s Beit Ula industrial zone threatens Palestinian economy.”
- SupportedRoughly 60 Palestinian businesses were isolated from customers and suppliers.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The measures have isolated roughly 60 Palestinian businesses from their customers and suppliers”
- SupportedThe isolation threatens the livelihoods of 2,500 workers employed in the zone.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “which threatens the livelihoods of 2,500 workers employed in the industrial zone.”
- SupportedIsraeli forces sealed the industrial zone’s entrances on November 4.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Israeli forces sealed the entrances to the Beit Ula industrial zone with earthen berms and stone barriers on November 4.”
- SupportedFayez al-Amleh said, “Today, raw materials cannot get in, and we cannot get our products out of the industrial zone.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Today, raw materials cannot get in, and we cannot get our products out of the industrial zone,” al-Amleh told Al Jazeera.”
- SupportedAl-Amleh’s employees had their hours cut or were moved to part-time work.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “As a result, his employees have had their hours cut or moved to part-time work, reducing their take-home pay.”
- SupportedThe Beit Ula blockade began just days after the 10-day Hebron siege was lifted on November 2.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Thousands of Palestinians were forced out of their homes during the 10-day siege on Hebron and returned only when Israeli soldiers left the city on November 2. ... But just days after the siege on Hebron was lifted, the blockade on Beit Ula’s industrial zone began.”
- SupportedThe Hebron siege led to losses of more than 12 million shekels ($3.8 million) a day, according to Mayor Yousef al-Jabari.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The siege on Hebron, an economic hub for the occupied West Bank, led to losses of more than 12 million shekels ($3.8m) a day, according to Hebron Mayor Yousef al-Jabari .”
- SupportedAl-Amleh’s daily sales fell from 70,000 shekels ($21,988) to between 2,000 and 3,000 shekels ($628 to $942).Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Since the closure, daily sales for al-Amleh’s business have dropped from 70,000 shekels ($21,988) to between 2,000 and 3,000 shekels ($628 to $942).”
- SupportedAyman al-Adam said, “This road closure is not just a closure. It is closing the doors of livelihood for all the workers.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““This road closure is not just a closure. It is closing the doors of livelihood for all the workers,” he told Al Jazeera.”
- SupportedIsraeli forces demolished four industrial facilities around Beit Ula.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Israeli forces have carried out a series of measures around the town of Beit Ula, including the demolition of four industrial facilities”
- SupportedIsrael has said Beit Ula is responsible for moving workers into Israel without work permits, and gave this as the reason for imposing restrictions.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “He rejected an allegation by Israel that Beit Ula is responsible for the movement of workers into Israel without work permits, the reason Israel has given for imposing restrictions on the industrial zone.”