Rihan, Barta’a, Shaked, Thursday, August 18, 2005, AMObservers: Chedva H., Ana N-S (reporting)10:30 – RihanOn the road going down to the CP, cars are stopped. Soldiers allow residents of the seam line zone and settlers from the area to move on. The CP itself is empty of Palestinians, and the pedestrian inspection post is closed, as there are no people around. At the vehicle inspection post the picture is similar – no vehicles, but there are many soldiers and army vehicles. Atmosphere is heavy and unpleasant on an extremely hot summer day.Barta’a This old post is a reminder of days that have long gone. At the entrance to the checkpoint there is a table for those coming and another one for those going. By the side of the road stretches a long dusty path for pedestrians.Five detainees stand under a piece of cloth draped over four poles. In time they are joined by more men, women and children who lack ID cards and the soldiers need to inquire how dangerous they are. There is no drinking water. We gather a few empty bottles, asking the soldiers to fill them up. Soldiers are aware of the difficulty of waiting in the sun and try to expedite the security clearance with the General Security Services (Shabak). Half an hour later, which seems like eternity for those waiting, they are all free to go.There are not too many vehicles or pedestrians. Women drag exhausted children, bags and sacks. Men with sealed expressions on their faces move on indifferently. It is very hot today.Z., the checkpoint commander, answers our questions willingly, like other soldiers we met on the way. He inspects people courteously.Closure is still in effect. Transfer of goods into the West Bank is unlimited, while goods going into Israel are in limited quantities.The temporary road blocks are aimed at preventing Israelis from going into the West Bank during the time of the settlement pullout, while maintaining, as much as possible, disruptions of Palestinians’ quality of life.A family from Umm al-Fahem, with their children, are banned from going into the West Bank. The soldiers wouldn’t listen to their explanations that they have hitchhiked to the CP and have no way of returning home.Shaked, 12:30 – 12:40The gate as well as the checkpoint are closed. According to the female soldier on site, the gate opens at hours known to the residents.We waited for a while to see if people were coming. No one came, and so we went home.