Al Aqaba (Village) / Jordan Valley, Hamra (Beqaot), Tayasir
We thought we might be able to visit the village of Akaba where the civil authorities demolished several houses on Thursday, August 6th, but we were unable to.
We crossed Bezek Checkpoint at 07:30.
07:50 – Tayasir Checkpoint
A herd of goats is grazing by the side of the abandoned army base. The bushes by the side of the road used to be huge and overgrown but are now low and diminished.
The checkpoint is open. An army vehicle is parked on the side and a soldier is in the watchtower. We drive through the checkpoint in the direction of Akaba. A military vehicle comes towards us and stops. The soldiers, who are reservists, about 30 years old, tell us that Israelis cannot enter Akaba because of the tension in the area and the murder of the Palestinian child and his father in the firebombing. They say that they are responsible for our safety.
07:55– We turn around and begin to drive back and the soldiers follow us. They say they know us, and that we will undoubtedly try to turn around again and drive to Akaba. We give up and hope that Tzvia, Karin, and Yaakov Manor will be more successful.
08:30 – Hamra Checkpoint
The lane going westward is closed. People traveling in both directions are in the eastbound lane. A man and woman soldier from the Jordan Valley battalion approach us and want to know what we are doing there. There is light traffic in both directions at this hour. Drivers wave to us. Every car is stopped for a quick inspection.
We crossed Bezek checkpoint at 09:20 without any unnecessary questions.
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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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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