Al Aqaba (Village) / Jordan Valley, Hamra (Beqaot), Khalet Makhul, Tayasir
We crossed the Bezek Checkpoint at 13:30.
It is very hot and dry! The thermometer shows 38-40 degrees. A herd of cows is making its way through the Ein Al Hilwa Riverbed. There are a few private vehicles on the road and a lot of military vehicles. The army training areas are empty.
The climb to Tayasir Checkpoint: The large and small fields are already plowed and ready for planting winter crops. There are many squills in bloom all around.
Tayasir Checkpoint: empty, people are crossing freely.
It has already been two years or more since the army camp near the checkpoint was used, but there is still a large pile of garbage nearby and there are a lot of bags filled with garbage around the large container. Perhaps people who were busy with demolitions in the village of Akaba ate and left their garbage behind.
Akaba
We drove onto an unpaved road south of the road leading to the village of Akaba. We were mistaken to think that this was the area of demolition. We saw chickens and sheep, but no people. There were army vehicles traveling southward on the road towards the training area.
In the village of Akaba we met Hajj Sami, the mayor of the village. One of the people who was with him rode with us to the family whose home was demolished. We met A> and Y. They told us that the residents of the village and the surrounding area of Hamam Al Maliakh have helped them and are helping to rebuild the ruins. They did not receive any help from the authorities. They are now living with neighbors and do not understand why people who have never done anything wrong are being harassed in this way.
The Alon Route: The Guchia Gate is closed. There are fresh dirt embankments surrounding it and it appears that work has recently been done to make them even higher.
Hamra Junction: A military vehicle with barred windows is standing at the southeastern corner of the junction opposite the army post. The bulldozer is parked in the yard of the checkpoint waiting to demolish homes or to dig more embankments. The road is open. The checkpoint overlooks the area. We hope that the checkpoint will not be operating over the upcoming holiday of Eid al Adha.
Halt makhul – We met women in the village and wished them a happy holiday.
The settlement of Rotem – It appears that a new shed has been built in the settlement.
We crossed the Bezek Checkpoint at 15:50.
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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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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Khalet Makhul
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Khalet Makhul
A small settlement of a shepherd community located on the way to the settlement of Hemdat. Two nearby outposts make life miserable for the Palestinians, who make a living from grazing, and the army backs the settlers. As a result, the possible grazing areas are getting smaller.
The local children attend school in the settlement of Ein Al-Beida. Long lines of 3 hours sometimes stretch out at the Hamra and Tayasir checkpoints leading to the town of Tubas, making it difficult to get water, supplies, and sell the cheese, milk, and meat that the residents produce for their living.
Following a deadly attack at the Tayasir checkpoint in February 2025, the checkpoint was closed completely for the time being.
(Updated March 2025)
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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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