Hebron, Sansana, South Hebron Hills, Sun 7.2.10, Morning

Date: 07/02/2010 ,Morning

Observers: Yael Z. and Noga R. (reports)

Hebron

According to Wye Plantation Accords (1997), Hebron is divided in two: H1 is under Palestinian Authority control, H2 is under Israeli control. In Hebron there are 170,000 Palestinian citizens, 60,000 of them in H2. Between the two areas are permanent checkpoints, manned at all hours, preventing Palestinian movement between them and controlling passage of permit holders such as teachers and schoolchildren. Some 800 Jews live in Avraham Avinu Quarter and Tel Rumeida, on Givat HaAvot and in the wholesale market.

Checkpoints observed in H2:

Bet Hameriva CP- manned with a pillbox
Kapisha quarter CP (the northern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
The 160 turn CP (the southern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
Avraham Avinu quarter - watch station
The pharmacy CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
Tarpat (1929) CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
Tel Rumeida CP - guarding station
Beit Hadassah CP - guarding station

Three checkpoints around the Tomb of the Patriarchs

Close description

Translated by Naomi S.
Sansana-Meytar

The pressure at the CP is quite significant, as it always is on Sundays – a mix of laborers who wait to pass though, others who've already passed, vehicles, and prisoners' families' buses (two in all).

On our way to Hebron we got the impression that there are new caravans in the Estamo'ah stronghold (but we're not absolutely positive about this).

Hebron

On the hill, right across the entrance to Kiryat Arba, we saw a new caravan, added onto the two temporary buildings already there. Hebron was very cold. We made a short tour by foot and didn't see anything worth reporting, apart from one child who sneaked into the Shouhada St. via a tiny window in the door put up for the handicapped child's wheelchair. It was really quite a creative shortcut, but the sight itself was rather depressing.

We went back via Tarquomiya.

On our way there were saw, on the paths leading to two Palestinian settlements whose names we don't know, that portable steel gates were put up. In general, military presence in the area was significant.