DCO Etzion, El Khader, Bethlehem 13.10.04 p.m.Observers: Julia W, Rina H, Chana G, Debbie P, Rahel W(reporting)At the turn opposite Tantur en route to the DCO in Etzion, we saw about 14 detainees — clearly workers trying to get home.We noted that there were no people at all at Al Khadr on our way down toward the DCO. About 100 meters south of the usual crossing point, people were pouring over the hills and then, very dangerously, trying to make their way across a major highway.At the Etzion DCO, we were told that there was a total closure and that no permits or magnetic cards were being given. When we asked how long the closure has been in effect, we were told “since Rosh Hashanah”. Something is wrong. We were at the DCO several times since Rosh Hashanah and witnessed people getting permits and magnetic cards — albeit often after a fight. We could get no information about why there was a closure or when it would be lifted.On the way back, we noticed soldiers shooting tear gas at the people trying to cross over the hills. There was more shooting of tear gas at the usual crossing at Al Khadr. When we asked the soldiers there what was going on, they said that someone had left a bomb near the soldiers about two hours back and they were not allowing anyone to cross back into the Israeli side.The Bethlehem checkpoint 300 was almost totally deserted. A few cars went in the direction of Bethlehem. An ambulance from Bethlehem was allowed through rather quickly. We saw just two people cross while we were there, and they were apparently tourists.The detainees opposite Tantur were released, but there was now a busload of people who were being checked. On the way back, there were several groups of detainees at different spots along Hebron Road.