Bethlehem 16/5/2004 Watchers: Haya A., Ada G., Dalia R., Ayala Z. Har Gilo. Beit Jalla DCO checkpoint is deserted. A 5-soldier unit patrols with drawn rifles on the road leading to Har Gilo. El Khader. Busy traffic. No army presence; this is reported also by pleased Palestinians. Ezion Juncture. The checkpoint is gone — no soldiers, no check post, just a huge black square (new). El Arub. An army jeep near the tower, not by the entrance. Drivers report that Nebi Yunnis and Hebron bridge are open to traffic. No soldiers sighted atNebi Yunnis. DCO Ezion. Great commotion — about 100 people crowding the “waiting hall”. The usual complaints about interminable waiting and the need to come backday after day because of the volume of applicants. Bethlehem 300. About 12 detainees in the dark shed. We are unable to communicate with the detainees. It was painful to watch a patient from Bethlehem (on his way to dialysis at Augusta Victoria hospital) taken off an ambulance, then obliged to walk toward Jerusalem trying to hitch a ride to the hospital (there’s no public transportation in the area!)