The first time we were supposed to meet Anas Hattab, he canceled at the last minute due to the unpredictable Israeli military checkpoints that now dominate his daily life. At 30, Hattab’s life revolves around these checkpoints, more so than any other Palestinian in the occupied West Bank. His traffic Telegram group, 'Road Conditions,' has become a vital utility for over 350,000 people, filling the gap left by navigation apps that fail to account for the 942 checkpoints, gates, and other barriers that now fragment the territory.

Launched in 2019, Hattab’s group began as a crowdsourced tool for people to share information about movements at checkpoints. It soon evolved into an essential resource, with more than a dozen volunteers now running the feed. Drivers from every corner of the West Bank send them reports, usually with a photo or video. To maintain accuracy, Hattab and the moderators check these updates by asking others on the ground, cross-checking other local pages, or driving the roads themselves.

Since October 7, 2023, Hattab’s work has become even more critical. An investigation by a partnership including the Palestine Reporting Lab and Lighthouse Reports found that checkpoint delays have increased by more than 50 percent, with the average commuter now losing about 77 hours every year taking roundabout routes to avoid checkpoints. Hattab’s group is not just a tool for navigation; it’s a lifeline for Palestinians trying to move around the West Bank.

When Hattab started Road Conditions, his odometer read 70,000 kilometers. Within four years, it read 274,000, inside a territory barely 130 kilometers from tip to tip. It is the equivalent of driving around the Earth more than five times, without ever leaving the West Bank. For Hattab, the challenge is not just in collecting data but in delivering it accurately to those who need it most. His work is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the Palestinian people in the face of occupation.