Since the Israeli war on Gaza began last year, the military has been imposing severe restrictions on movements across the occupied West Bank, including Hebron, the only Palestinian city alongside Jerusalem where Israeli settlers reside in the Old City.

For decades, this has meant direct Israeli control over parts of Hebron’s Old City, where nearly 35,000 Palestinians and some 800 settlers live.

The settlers are provided with protection by the soldiers, designated segregated roads and given full freedom of movement.

On the other hand, the Palestinians are forced to go through 28 checkpoints and dozens of military barriers, often being subjected to humiliating and long searches, sexual harassment and even arrest without cause.

The military restrictions and the settlers’ violence spare no one, including pupils.

Before Israeli settlements began growing in Hebron in the early 2000s, the Old City used to be a vibrant hub for Palestinians,