Understand the realities of occupation through data, maps, and documented accounts
Matthew Cassel's decades of journalism have documented how Palestinians navigate daily life in occupied territories. This interactive explorer compiles verified data from his work and other independent sources, showing checkpoint systems, settlement expansion, displacement patterns, and first-person testimonies.
Rather than relying on headlines or political statements, explore the actual numbers and stories: where checkpoints are located, how many Israeli settlers have moved to the West Bank, documented displacement figures, and direct accounts from Palestinians describing their experiences.
Use filters to explore by region, time period, and topic area. Each data point links to primary sources and verified reporting.
Matthew Cassel is an independent journalist and photographer who has spent over two decades documenting Palestinian life in occupied territories. Co-founder of The Electronic Intifada, an independent news platform launched in 2001, Cassel has built a reputation for ground-level reporting that centers Palestinian voices and lived experiences.
Unlike mainstream media outlets that often focus on conflict events, Cassel's work documents the mundane realities of occupation: checkpoint lines, permit bureaucracy, settlement expansion, and how these systems shape daily life. His photo essays and investigative reports have appeared in major international outlets and are archived by human rights organizations.
This tool draws from his extensive documentation to present verified data about Palestinian conditions under occupation, paired with first-person testimonies that bring statistics to life.
Checkpoints & Barriers: Palestinian movement between towns and regions is controlled through military checkpoints. Wait times, permit requirements, and access vary daily. Cassel's documentation shows how these checkpoints function as infrastructure of control.
Settlements & Expansion: Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law. Verified data shows ~475,000 Israeli settlers with ongoing expansion. Cassel's photos document how settlements fragment Palestinian territory.
Home Demolitions: Palestinian homes are demolished primarily in Area C (60% of West Bank under Israeli control) for lacking building permits, which are rarely granted. Cassel has documented families returning to rubble of demolished homes.
Movement Restrictions: Permit system limits Palestinian movement based on purpose (work, family visit, business). Approval rates vary dramatically. Cassel's reporting shows how this affects employment, education, and family life.
In 2026, Palestinian conditions under occupation continue with limited international attention to daily impact. Cassel's work reminds us that "occupation" isn't an abstract political term—it's millions of people navigating concrete barriers, checkpoint queues, permit systems, and restricted movement every single day.
This tool makes his documentation searchable and comparable, allowing users to understand not just the scale of occupation (number of settlers, checkpoint locations), but its texture and impact (wait times, employment effects, family separation).
By exploring verified data and first-person accounts together, you can move beyond headlines to understand how occupation actually functions in Palestinian communities.
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