Israel cited recent alleged stabbing attacks against settlers - residing in the occupied West Bank contrary to international law - as reasons for refusing to provide passes, which are issued on a day-to-day basis.
Israeli settlements make money at Palestinian expense
According to Wajdi Swaiti, a construction worker from southern Hebron, Israel's clampdown on Palestinians in recent months has affected them tremendously.
"These most recent Israeli crackdowns have forced us to be out of work for months to come, which affects our livelihood and our ability to raise our families," Swaiti told Al Jazeera.
Israeli authorities heightened security measures to prevent Palestinians from accessing the illegal settlements from the specialised roads leading there.
About 26,000 Palestinians work in the settlements, nearly 10,000 of them without proper permits.
Palestinian human rights campaigner Tahseen Elayyan told Al Jazeera that Palestinians often find themselves in a catch-22 situation.
"Palestinians want to work to raise their families, but often find themselves forced to work in illegal Israeli settlements built on their own stolen land. They have no other choice but to work there," Elayyan said.
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