Al Aqaba (Village) / Jordan Valley, Hamra (Beqaot), Khalet Makhul
On Road 669, towards Beit She’an, at the Quarries Junction near Kibbutz Beit Alfa, numerous soldiers and military vehicles congregated early last week. Colorful flags (probably of the participating unit) waved. Maneuvers in the town of Beit She’an.
10:00 Bezeq checkpoint
We passed. Not one of the south-bound posts was manned.
The Jordan Valley has dried up. The gundelias are rolling in the breaze…
Rotem settlement
In the outpost south of this settlement, development work is ongoing, probably of guesthouse projects as well. A large khaki tent has been added, a goat pen, and a shack containing wooden planks (perhaps for construction). There are a new water tap and a colorful ornament on the white dome.
Uphill to Tyassir
Wheat fields are waiting to be harvested. Soldiers in the shade of one of the trees on the roadside. These are the only soldiers we’ve seen (except for those training in the Beit She’a Valley, whose base is located on road 669).
Tyassir checkpoint
Open. An army vehicle (Hummer?) is parked next to the watchtower. A soldier stands in its doorway. For lack of mutual interest, we continued towards Al Aqaba village. The lights around the checkpoint are on, and the stoplight yanked out.
Al Aqaba Village
The center of the village was quieter than usual. We met only the workers at the tea plant and the cheese-makers.
Allon Road
The dirt dike north of Gochya gate has grown longer and taller.
Hamra junction
Three woman soldiers in the watchtower. One of them was looking through field glasses. Apparently, she was monitoring 3 youngsters who passed the checkpoint compound, going west.
Khalat Makhoul
I. told us that all was quiet, they were not being harassed. There’s milk, cheeses, all’s well. He also said that one member of the family has left (we didn’t ask where to). Now there are only three families left there (it’s a pity). He asked if we could bring them a baby car-seat.
Bezeq checkpoint (12:30) – we crossed, greeted by the soldiers.
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 ShilohNov-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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