Rihan, Shaked, Wednesday, June 8, 2005, AMObservers; Yael Y., Chedva H. (reporting)10:50 – 12:30Rihan checkpoint– At the pedestrian inspection post we were greeted by an unusual group of soldiers (two female and one male), who invited us to sit with them in a shady spot at the entrance to the terminal across from the inspection post. We declined politely, explaining that we wished to go to the car park area, as we usually do.We tried taking advantage of their kindness to bring to their attention the detention pen. Four detainees were sitting there, appearing tortured by the heat of the sun, which at this time of day is at its peak. We asked once again if it is at all possible to shade a bit the area of the detention pen, since the existing camouflage net doesn’t appear to do the job.“Our job is not to provide comfortable conditions…” was the answer, and before we had a chance to respond, one soldier added cynically, “But we do provide them with sun block lotion…”One of the illegal aliens inside the pen claimed to have been there since 9 in the morning, while the other detainees reported a two- hour-long detention. We took the empty water bottles in the pen and refilled them for the detainees. This was the least we could do for them. In a short while one of them was freed and five more replaced him.The pace of pedestrians crossing through this post is rather slow today, but at least it is not accompanied with screaming like last week.The vehicle passage was also slow, with a line of about 10 cars waiting for inspection.Shaked gate – At exactly 12:15, the military Hummer showed up with two soldiers inside. One got off to open the gate and an elderly woman, who had been waiting for a long time, went through. Except for her, the place was desolate; the school children are on vacation. We were glad to see that the army was showing sensitivity to those dependent on that crossing point. We asked, once again, that the opening hours be posted on the outer gate. The soldiers were polite, and we hope that our request will be fulfilled.