Israeli occupation forces on Monday obstructed students and teachers from reaching the Susya Mixed Basic School in the village of Susya, south of Hebron, in a deliberate act of harassment targeting Palestinian education.

According to local sources, Israeli forces erected a military checkpoint inside the village, where they stopped and searched students, teachers, and their vehicles as they attempted to reach the school. The sudden deployment disrupted the school day and caused significant delays, preventing normal access to the educational facility.

Witnesses said that students and teachers were detained at the checkpoint for a period of time and subjected to harassment and intimidation by Israeli soldiers. The incident took place amid harsh weather conditions, with severe cold compounding the suffering of those held outside for extended periods.

Local residents and education advocates condemned the actions, saying they reflect a systematic policy aimed at undermining Palestinian education and pressuring communities in Area C of the occupied West Bank, where Susya is located. Palestinian communities in the area frequently report restrictions on movement, raids, and interference with basic services, including access to schools.

Human rights groups have long warned that such measures violate the right to education and freedom of movement guaranteed under international law, particularly for children living under military occupation. They argue that obstructing access to schools forms part of a broader pattern of collective punishment and intimidation against Palestinian civilians.

The incident adds to growing concerns over escalating Israeli restrictions in the Hebron area, where checkpoints, roadblocks, and settler-related pressures continue to disrupt daily life for Palestinian communities, especially students and educators seeking to carry out their most basic activities. (ILKHA)