Al Aqaba (Village) / Jordan Valley, Gochya, Hamra (Beqaot), Jordan Valley, Tayasir
10:30 Bezeq Checkpoint. We crossed.
Rotem Settlement: we photographed the new settlement growing on the northern slope. We ascended with the road, not entering the settlement but turning south along the range. Apparently the military location that preceded the civilian settlement was in thei area south of the current settlement. East of there we saw a fenced-in area with trees, several goats, and people working, as well as an old run-down caravan. To our question they replied that they belong to Rotem Settlement and asked us emphatically not to approach the caravan because it is private and that should be respect in their own yard.
The ascent to Tyassir: next to the army camp, soldiers wait for transport.
In the training area in the ravine south of Hamam Al Malih a military vehicle is seen stuck in the mud.
Tyassir Checkpoint: the road is clean and shiny both due to the rains and especially after the cleaning activity we witnessed prior to the maneuvers. The dumpster is gone, below the watchtower a military vehicle is parked, and two soldiers are present. We continued towards Al Aqaba village.
Allon Road: north of the army camp we noticed paving works. The people (from Hebron) working at the site on behalf of the Israeli electricity company said that one of the electricity poles fell and they are paving the road so it is accessible for repair work.
Around Gokhia Gate: lots of mud, the earthen dikes are in place, here and there run down (soon to be fixed by the evil forces at work in the area).
Hamra Junction (12:35): the junction is deserted, a woman-soldier lookout is seen on the watchtower.
We returned via the Jiftlik and road 90.
“Twice Amona shall not fall” (paraphrasing the old adage on Massada) – we saw this slogan on a single banner (not more) on a fence at Shadmot Mekhola settlement.
Bezeq Checkpoint (13:15) – we crossed back into Israel.
Al-'Aqaba (village) / Jordan Valley
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Al Aqaba is located in Area C, in the northern Jordan Valley and near the Tayasir checkpoint. The village is well-kept, clean and tidy, but suffers greatly from the presence of soldiers at the Tayasir camp.
Following a deadly attack on soldiers at the base near Tayasir in February 2025, the checkpoint was closed completely for the time being. This cut off the connection between the northern Jordan Valley and the Nablus area. MachsomWatch cannot currently reach Aqaba, because Israelis are not allowed to pass through the checkpoint.
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Gochya
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Gochya checkpoint, which is opposite Beqaot settlement, is a metal bar blocking a dirt road in the Jordan Valley that prevents residents living in the eastern Jordan Valley from travelling freely to the western Jordan Valley and back again. This checkpoint, which is supposed to open only three times a week for half an hour (and usually doesn’t open at all), prevents residents living in the eastern Jordan Valley from accessing the town of Tamun, for example, which serves as a regional urban center. They’re prevented from maintaining contact with family members, obtaining medical treatment, getting to school and shopping, etc. Children from the eastern Jordan Valley are compelled to live during the week with families in Tamun to insure they are able to attend school regularly. The locals must make long detours, and risk severe punishment if they’re caught. In order to prevent them from bypassing the checkpoint, the IDF dug a series of long, deep ditches around the checkpoint and created very high earthen berms.
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Hamra (Beqaot)
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One of the Jordan Rift Valley checkpoints that prevent direct transit between the West Bank and the Jordan Valley, in addition to Tayasir Checkpoint. Located next to Hamra settlement, on Route 57 and the Allon Road.
Read about the peple of the Jordan Valley and the quiet transfer happening there.
Shahar ShiloahNov-3-2021Ein Shibli: grazing begins close to home
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Jordan Valley
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Jordan Valley The Jordan Valley is the eastern strip of the West Bank. Its area consists of almost a third of the West Bank area. About 10,000 settlers live there, about 65,000 Palestinian residents in the villages and towns. In addition, about 15,000 are scattered in small shepherd communities. These communities are living in severe distress because of two types of harassment: the military declaring some of their living areas, as fire zones, evicting them for long hours from their residence to the scorching heat of the summer and the bitter cold of the winter. The other type is abuse by rioters who cling to the grazing areas of the shepherd communities, and the declared fire areas (without being deported). The many groundwaters in the Jordan Valley belong to Mekorot and are not available to Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley. The Palestinians bring water to their needs in high-cost followers.May-10-2025A Shabbat treat for settlers: evicting Palestinian shepherds from their homes
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Tayasir CP
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Located on road 5799, It is one of the checkpoints control the passage between the northern West Bank and the Jordan Valley. For a long time, it stood empty and open, with only a sign next to it warning against entering Area A. It was adjacent to an old military camp - now everything is neglected. How much money was invested here, and how much brainwashing was done to the soldiers of Netzah Yehuda and Kfir.
Today, it is very difficult to pass there. Many delays. Often, teachers from Tubas are not allowed to pass into the Valley to villages like Ein al-Bida where the local schools are located, and there are no classes. There are additional days when the checkpoint is closed. In general, there is a wait there of about two to four hours to go towards the Valley and also to return. Many times the Palestinians are forced to use the Hamra checkpoint, which also leads into Tubas and the West Bank, but there is also a huge queue there and a long wait.
Following a deadly attack on soldiers at the nearby base in February 2025, the checkpoint was completely closed for the time being. (Updated March 2025)
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