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Azzun, Qalqiliya, Mon 15.10.07, Morning

Observers: Frances T., Roni Sh. (reporting) Galia S. - translation
Oct-15-2007
| Morning

   

06:40 – Two Hummer vehicles are on the hills opposite the entrance to Alfe Menashe, watching the congestion at the exit. At Eliyahu Passage there are only few workers who are waiting to pass to Israel.

 

Qalqiliya
 

06:45 – At the entrance there is no line, while at the exit thee is a big taxi with a family and many big and full suitcases inside. Two soldiers are busy checking all the suitcases. The passengers are told to take everything out and spread it on the ground. The checkpoint commander is busy copying from one notebook to another. Two additional soldiers, hands in pockets, let the few cars that enter the city pass without inspection. In the meantime, some 20 cars have piled up at the exit (the end of the line cannot be seen).


 

07:05 – The taxi goes on its way, leaving a number of tangerines rolling in the sand. The checkpoint commander makes time to check with another soldier the line generated at the exit. It takes 25 minutes to check 15 cars. The line isn't short because more cars keep joining in.

 

07:25 – We leave.

 07:30 – The entrance to Azzun is open. On both sides of road 55 we see

  • 'Azzun

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    • Azoun (updated February 2019)

      A Palestinian town situated in Area B (under civil Palestinian control and Israeli security control), 

      on road 5 between Nablus and Qalqiliya, east of Nabi Elias village. The inhabitants are allowed to construct and improve infrastructures. The Separation Fence has confiscated lands belonging to the town's people. In 2018 olive tree groves owned by one of its inhabitants were confiscated for the sake of paving a road to bypass Nabi Elias. Azoun population numbers 13,000, its economic state dire. Its infrastructures are poor, neglect and poverty rampant. In the meantime, the town council has completed paving an internal road for the inhabitants' welfare.

      Because of its proximity to the Jewish settler-colony of Karnei Shomron and its outposts, the town suffers the intense presence of the Israeli army, especially at nighttime: soldiers enter homes, arrest suspects, trash the house and sometimes ruin it, as they do in numerous places in the West Bank. At times a checkpoint closes the entrance to the town, so no one can come in or get out.

       

  • Qalqiliya checkpoint

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    • Qalqilya is surrounded on all sides by the separation barrier. The only exit from the city is in the east of the city on the road that leaves the city in an easterly direction. This is where the checkpoint was located. When the checkpoint was active until 2009 our shifts watched long queues of cars being inspected at the only exit from the city to the West Bank. The checkpoint was canceled, but there is a military presence at the entrance to the city.
      Azzun: Enclosed by a high fence and the gate to the village is closed
      Nina Seba
      Aug-18-2025
      Azzun: Enclosed by a high fence and the gate to the village is closed
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