Beit Iba. Monday, 8.5.2006, PM Observers; Niva D. Ziona S. (reporting)Natanya translatingSummary: It seems that the main pressure has passed over to the checkpoint of Jit. For the past two weeks I have felt that an endless line of cars are held up there for about 4 hours, and then the bus drivers and taxi drivers confirmed this. The limitation 15 – 30 years of age remains in effect for Tulkarm and Jenin. 15.10 Crossroads of Shave Shomron open for the first time in months. Beit Iba. 15.25 Only a few cars entering Nablus and a fair line of those leaving. When we arrive, a long line of women and elderly men pass in the humanitarian line without much checking. Everything seems to be in order but after a few minutes a man of at least 50 arrives and the soldier points his weapon and says he must go to the checkpoint. And after that everyone arriving at the humanitarian line because of age is sent back with drawn weapon to the checkpoint. It seems that the stream of people in the beginning had been to lessen the pressure. They are lucky that the pressure at the turnstiles is reasonable and the checking is done efficiently and fast even though all the young men have to lift their shirts and turn around. 15.40 An elderly group of women are also sent to the turnstiles. 16.00 A representative of the DCO arrives and asks Niva and the soldiers what the situation is. A few minutes later and the humanitarian line is opened once more but we do not know if this is because of his arrival. We did not see any detainees or any young man sent back to Nablus. 16.15 On our way back to the car a kiosk owner asked us how things are. When we say all right he says “What do you mean? I can’t go into Nablus because I am from Tulkarm and those from Jenin also cannot. A busdriver calls us …he is waiting for passengers to Qalqiliya who are being checked and asks us if we can meet him at the Jit crossroads because he knows that there one waits for up to three hours. 16.30 Jit Crossroads to road 60 before the northern turning to road 55 a long snakeline of 60 cars all stuck there. We phone Dekel and Tal answers us with much goodwill and promises to phone the brigade and ask to solve the problem. But he says he cannot give the order. We go home and do not know if anything changed. At least he showed goodwill.