Hebron, Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills
We made a long stop at the Meitar checkpoint. It was reported that all the stalls set up there on the Palestinian side had been evacuated. We saw that truly the majority had been destroyed and now the remains of the many goods and garbage was being removed. The tractors are still working. A Large police force is also stationed there.
Talking to all parties we tried to get as complete and balanced a picture as possible. We understood that the booths became a health and safety hazard as they had been pushed right into the road. Supervisors from the unit responsible for the passage had tried to make arrangements and to consider the needs of the people and had tried to place the agents further away from the road so that there would be a regulated garbage disposal. Workers from Dahariya are employed there, and according to them, the traders did not obey the instructions and the mess and dirt were already unbearable. To our questions about the need for real arrangements in cooperation with the dealers, the representative of the Passage Unit said that they fall between the chairs and only in the DCO they decide with whom to speak and decide what to determine. So in conversation with those in charge of the DCO they explained to me that, with all their good intentions and with their understanding of what needed to be done, there was a real need for the workers and the owners of the stalls to try to arrange what was achirved at Tarkumiya But their efforts were hopeless and with no discipline or internal leadership which could organize the matter. So they had no choice but to come and destroy everything by force.
When I asked if there was any a solution? After all, everything will be rebuilt in the end and an endless fight will resume. The DCO representative explained that they were aware of everything and would continue to seek a fair and genuine solution to the problem.
(The occupation will not end, neither will all its problems)
We went to visit Idris who lives next to the Holy Spring in Hebron. Apparently, despite the restraining order of those who had stabbed him, they returned two weeks ago and threatened him again. We wanted to go with him to file another complaint but he had to go to a funeral. He assured us that he would not fear to go alone. He is known and admired by the security forces as a person who had saved children and adults in problematic events in Hebron. We have seen the spring and the complex 360 degree cameras 24/7 of course.
And of course he goes on to ask how with everything being monitored and photographed, only the stabbing and assault incidents of the settlers the IDF does not see.
We ask, too.
If only the magnificent millennial olive trees could stand to speak …
Hebron
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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
Raya YeorDec-18-2025Hebron - Yusri Jaber and part of his family
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Meitar checkpoint / Sansana
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Meitar Checkpoint / Sansana 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 / DCL / DCL / DCL (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
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South Hebron Hills
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South Hebron Hills
South Hebron Hills is a large area in the West Bank's southern part.
Yatta is a major city in this area: right in the border zone between the fertile region of Hebron and its surroundings and the desert of the Hebron Hills. Yatta has about 64,000 inhabitants.
The surrounding villages are called Masafer 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, many 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 withholding 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. Roadblocks 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
MuhammadFeb-24-2026South Hebron Hill, Beit Hagai: Paving an internal security road
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