JUBARA, Sunday 18 April 2004 AMObservers: Fanny H.,Naomi K., Esti T. (reporting)color =red> One day after the assassination of the Hamas leader Dr. Abd-el Azziz Rantissi07:00– The checkpoint was empty and desolate. There was a total closure in effect, and not a soul in sight.The Palestinian Authority had declared three days of mourning following Rantissi’s assassination, we were told. The schools were closed, but three teachers from Jayyus ( between Tsufin and Qalqiliya) wished to reach Tulkarm. They had the necessary papers, and talked to the soldiers – but were told “No way!” We tried to intervene, and spoke to K., of the IDF District Coordinating Office(DCO) which deals with civilian matters, but everyone we approached refused adamantly. The teachers went back the way they had come, disappointed, and asking “Why are we to blame? ” Trying to explain is useless. The checkpoint sergeant, N., looked exhausted, tense and on the brink of losing control. I inquired whether he had been on duty all night, because I was sincerely concerned about him. He answered: “It will be O.K.”: then he hesitated a minute and repeated “It will be O.K.” We suggested he drink something warm, he smiled back. I observed him throughout our shift, he was really in deep distress, very tired. Another soldier tried to be reserved and matter of fact, but he too seemed exhausted and distracted. The two volunteers [IDF reservists who volunteer to serve on the border between Israel and the Palestinian Authority] stood on the road where the vehicular traffic passes, and both were more alert and clear-headed than the soldiers. There was a great deal of waving and smiling at settler cars coming from Avnei Hefetz and Einav, and considerable socializing with the settlers; we, for our part, received looks from the settlers which were distinctly unfriendly.An ambulance bound for Qalqiliya drove through .Two families with sick children presented medical documents from the Israeli Ichilov and Tel Hashomer hospitals. The papers were checked, and they went through without delay. On the northern side of the checkpoint there were two soldiers: one covered those waiting with his rifle, while the other checked in a very dilatory manner.08:30 — There was a sudden panic, three soldiers including N. rushed to the eastern side where 25 Palestinians were waiting. These had begun a sudden dash towards the taxis into which they disappeared. We just caught a glimpse of a 16- year-old youth making an obscene gesture at the soldiers. In reply to my question of what’s going on, N. said, “I will deal with this, (pointing a gun) you watch what I am going to do to them.” He spoke like someone who was really exhausted.Three soldiers held a stun grenade. “What’s that for?” I asked. “You’ll soon find out; they know what this is! Just you wait: any minute now they’ll start throwing stones at us!” Was it just because the youngster had behaved provocatively ? “He’ll soon see what he gets for being provocative!” But the children are far away and cannot throw stones from this distance, I argue, urging N. to ignore the matter. I phoned K., of the DCO, but got only an answer-phone. I left a message to say that things could quickly deteriorate here. K. did not turn up (which was very unlike him ), but we did get an Arabic-speaking second lieutenant, pleasant, very restrained and distant, wearing a flak jacket and doing the job! The atmosphere changed (or so I would like to believe). But the fact is that everyone was very tired, tense and high-strung. The soldiers couldn’t really do their work, and were antagonistic and easily pulled into childishly provocative situations. Impression:The soldier, it seems to me, has an impossible task to carry out . In times like this, it is we who must produce the real-time humanitarian response, otherwise real tragedy may result.The earthworks around the checkpoint were continuing at full speed and the checkpoint is gradually changing in appearance ; there were more bulldozers, and the ground nearby gaped open. All sorts of colourful cables were being placed, and there were many surveyors and the like at work. Who knows what’s in store?