I've found that a lot of enemies are allowed to attack through these barriers and other blocks that we are not able to attack through. especially in decon zones the gremlins are sometimes smacking me outside the door while im trying to unlock with the key. i thought the point of soul barriers and blocks you can't attack though was to prevent attacks from both sides. also the new jellys can literally attack through anything, even a gap. found this out the hard way in one of the spiral courts, but can't remember which one.