15:40 – Beit Iba.  No line of vehicles, neither at the entrance nor at the exit.  Cars go through with no delay.  When we got to the area of vehicles inspection, the commander told us not to go to observe from there.  We ignored this, but explained to him where we usually stand.  He explains that he is new here. And we explain that we have a lot of experience here. No detainees.  Very few people in the shed.  One turnstile is operating, but there are 2 inspection points opposite it.  The soldiers are reserve soldiers who are new at the checkpoint.  They will serve here for 3 months.  The Military Policeman speaks with us.  There is no DCO rep, there had been but he left.

 16:20 – One detainee.  And right away, another two, but they are taken out of the shed to the detention area.  A soldier comes over to us and asks us politely to stand on the other side of the fence where we are leaning.  Actually, it hardly makes any difference in our observing those going through from either point.  We agreed, and moved.  Nevertheless, I asked him if it would bother him if I sat on the bench on the other side of the fence.  In his polite way, he simply moved the bench over to me and asked if I would like to sit. Since there were almost no lines anywhere, and since he was interested in us, we spoke with him.  When we asked about the detainees, he answered that they had bypassed the checkpoint.  And, since today was a holiday, he would shorten their detention.  

 16:30 – One of the three was released, because he was checked and found innocent.  The two who had bypassed will wait.  The soldier told us that tomorrow – Independence Day – the checkpoint will be completely closed to traffic, he was told this.  We immediately report to Naomi, so that she can check it at the civil administration.  Perhaps there is no reason to send a shift tomorrow.  "Naomi is checking.  And, indeed, the checkpoint will close because there will be a procession (with a permit) to Humash."   

16:40 – We ask when the two detainees will be freed, and he answers" "In another 40 minutes.  That is the usual procedure here.  We feel unnecessary and leave to ’Anabta and to A-Ras.