South Hebron Hills - the many checkpoints prevent regular vehicle traffic

Place:

Dura-Al Fawwar Junction

Sansana (Meitar Crossing)

South Hebron Hills

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Swords of Iron War

Observers:

Raya Y. Translator: Natanya

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May-2-2024

Morning

Al-Fawwar - crossing the fields

Photo:

Raya Yeor

Hebron - Yusri Jaber

Photo:

Raya Yeor

After the Meitar checkpoint, at the beginning of Route 60, the IDF set up a new checkpoint, three soldiers who check only Palestinian vehicles, Israeli vehicles continue driving without inspection.

Further along the drive we observed the fence surrounding the abandoned Zanuta.

After Shema, a new outpost was born, 500 meters north of Eshtamoa. The trailer is very hard to spot, hidden among the hills.

Fares directed us to the location of the new outpost.

A lot of sheep's wool has been thrown from the Yehuda farm in the direction of Shweike and was photographed by one of the residents and sent to us today.

At the Al Fawwar intersection, across the road through the fields, the many barriers do not allow regular and normal vehicle traffic.

We went to the Jaber family under Kiryat Arba. They have no water so they cannot grow vegetables for their livelihood. In addition, it is difficult for them to leave the house. We equipped them with children's clothes. Thanking you, greatly appreciating our help, praying for better days because life has become unbearable.

Location Description

Dura/Al Fawwar Junction

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Junction on Route 60: west - the town of El Dura, east - the Al Fawwar refugee camp. There is a manned pillbox at the junction. From time to time the army sets up flying checkpoints at the entrance to El Fawwar and Al Dura. Al-Fawwar is a large refugee camp (7,000 inhabitants in 2007) established in 1949 to accommodate Palestinian refugees from Be'er Sheva and Beit Jubrin and environs. There are many incidents of stone-throwing. In the vicinity of the pillbox there are excellent agricultural areas, Farmers set up stalls adjacent to the plots close to the road. In recent months the civil administration info-icon has set up dirt embankments thereby blocking access to the stalls, and making it impossible for the farmers to sell their vegetables.

Updated April 2021, Michal T.

Yata / Southern Hebron hills

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Yatta is a city located in the South Hebron Hills region. It is located in the border zone between the fertile area of Hebron and its surroundings and the desert of the Hebron Hills. Yatta has about 64,000 inhabitants. The surrounding villages are called Masafar Yatta (Yatta's daughter villages). Their inhabitants subsist on livestock and agriculture. Agriculture is possible only in small plots, especially near streams. Most of the area consists of rocky terraces.

Since the beginning of the 1980s, a number of settlements have been established on the agricultural land cultivated by the Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills region: Carmel, Maon, Susia, Masadot Yehuda, Othniel, and more. Since the settlements were established and Palestinians cultivation areas have been reduced; the residents of the South Hebron Hills have been suffering from harassment by the settlers. Attempts to evict and demolish houses have continued, along with the withholding of water and electricity. The military and police usually refrain from intervening in violent incidents between settlers and Palestinians do not enforce the law when it comes to the investigation of extensive violent Jewish settlers. The harassment in the South Hebron Hills includes attacking and attempting to burn residential tents, harassing dogs, harming herds, and preventing access to pastures.

There are several checkpoints in the South Hebron Hills, on Routes 317 and 60. In most of them, no military presence is apparent, but rather an array of pillboxes monitor the villages. Road blocks are frequently set up according to the settlers and the army's needs. These are located at the Zif Junction, the Dura-al Fawwar crossing, and the Sheep Junction at the southern entrance to Hebron.

Updated April 2022

May-9-2024

Raya Yeor

Khursa - Palestinian vehicles are confiscated

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Meitar

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Sansana (Meitar Crossing)

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The checkpoint is located on the Green Line and serves as a border crossing between Israel and the West Bank. It is managed by the Border Crossing Authority of the Defense Ministry. It is comprised of sections for the transfer of goods as well as a vehicle checkpoint (intended for holders of blue identity cards, foreign nationals or diplomats and international organizations). Passing of Palestinians is prohibited, except for those with entry permits to Israel. Palestinians are permitted to cross on foot only. The crossing has a DCO (District Coordination Office), a customs unit, supervision, and a police unit.

In the last year, a breach has been opened in the fence, not far from the crossing. This breach is known to all, including the army. There does not appear to be any interest in blocking it, probably as it permits needed Palestinian workers without the bureaucratic permits to get to work in Israel. Food stalls and a parking area economy have been created, but incidents of violent abuse by border police have also been recorded.

Updated April 2022