Dura-Al Fawwar Junction, Hebron, Sa’ir, South Hebron Hills
South Hebron Hills
Everything is as usual until we arrive at the spring with a small pool, situated about 500 meters south of the Dura–Al Fawwar junction. There are very many military vehicles parked there and soldiers are walking around in the field, because children are throwing stones from there. We feel that there is tension but don’t see anything. There are also many army vehicles next to the pill-box which overlooks the junction, for the same reason.
We again drive to the Sa’ir junction as messengers for Ronit and Sylvia. More people are in need of our help, and for the same reason. The cancellation of work permits is a severe blow and is incomprehensible, especially since most of them are returned after harassment and payment.
Hebron
We have again brought forms for the trips to the sea for those who need them.
A garden with childrens’ games has been made at “the disputed house” . The settlers broadcast “ We are enjoying living here . . . . in spite of the soldiers surrounding us below and on the roof (A photograph will be sent direct).
Road-bend No 160 looks like a completely fortified site, as does the Pharmacy Checkpoint and the “1936 Riots” Checkpoint.
We are not allowed to enter the parking-lot next to the Patriarch’s Cave, because, according to a border-policeman, it is simply full-up.
On the stairs ascending to the Cordovah school it is quiet and empty. The new gate which the army built is locked. Only authorized people are allowed to ascend these stairs, because they are opposite Hadassa House. The soldiers in the inspection cabin secure every centimeter.
We invite an old man who is walking with difficulty and panting on the way up to Tel Romeda, to travel with us to the new checkpoint (a picture will be sent separately). It’s obvious that it’s hard-going for him and of course Palestinian cars are not allowed to drive there. The additional checkpoint at the right-turn at Tel Romeda is blocked. Soldiers in the cabin examine both those coming and going – of all ages and all conditions.
Despair : a whole town under siege for 600 settlers.
Dura Al-Fawwar Junction
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Junction on Route 60: west - the town of El Dura, east - the Al Fawwar refugee camp. There is a manned pillbox at the junction. From time to time the army sets up flying checkpoints at the entrance to El Fawwar and Al Dura. Al-Fawwar is a large refugee camp (7,000 inhabitants in 2007) established in 1949 to accommodate Palestinian refugees from Be'er Sheva and Beit Jubrin and environs. There are many incidents of stone-throwing. In the vicinity of the pillbox there are excellent agricultural areas, Farmers set up stalls adjacent to the plots close to the road. In recent months the civil administration has set up dirt embankments thereby blocking access to the stalls, and making it impossible for the farmers to sell their vegetables. Updated April 2021, Michal T.
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Hebron
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According to Wye Plantation Accords (1997), Hebron is divided in two: H1 is under Palestinian Authority control, H2 is under Israeli control. In Hebron there are 170,000 Palestinian citizens, 60,000 of them in H2. Between the two areas are permanent checkpoints, manned at all hours, preventing Palestinian movement between them and controlling passage of permit holders such as teachers and schoolchildren. Some 800 Jews live in Avraham Avinu Quarter and Tel Rumeida, on Givat HaAvot and in the wholesale market.
Checkpoints observed in H2:
- Bet Hameriva CP- manned with a pillbox
- Kapisha quarter CP (the northern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
- The 160 turn CP (the southern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
- Avraham Avinu quarter - watch station
- The pharmacy CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
- Tarpat (1929) CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
- Tel Rumeida CP - guarding station
- Beit Hadassah CP - guarding station
Three checkpoints around the Tomb of the Patriarchs
Raya YeorDec-18-2025Hebron - Yusri Jaber and part of his family
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Sa'ir
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A relatively affluent suburb of Palestinian Hebron. West of Highway 60 leading from Bethlehem to Hebron. The entrance to Highway 60 and to Shuyukh and Beit Einun to the east is open, but is subject to changes - concrete blocks denying passage are stationed according to the needs of the army.
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South Hebron Hills
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South Hebron Hills
South Hebron Hills is a large area in the West Bank's southern part.
Yatta is a major city in this area: right in the border zone between the fertile region of Hebron and its surroundings and the desert of the Hebron Hills. Yatta has about 64,000 inhabitants.
The surrounding villages are called Masafer Yatta (Yatta's daughter villages). Their inhabitants subsist on livestock and agriculture. Agriculture is possible only in small plots, especially near streams. Most of the area consists of rocky terraces.Since the beginning of the 1980s, many settlements have been established on the agricultural land cultivated by the Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills region: Carmel, Maon, Susia, Masadot Yehuda, Othniel, and more. Since the settlements were established and Palestinians cultivation areas have been reduced; the residents of the South Hebron Hills have been suffering from harassment by the settlers. Attempts to evict and demolish houses have continued, along with withholding water and electricity. The military and police usually refrain from intervening in violent incidents between settlers and Palestinians do not enforce the law when it comes to the investigation of extensive violent Jewish settlers. The harassment in the South Hebron Hills includes attacking and attempting to burn residential tents, harassing dogs, harming herds, and preventing access to pastures.
There are several checkpoints in the South Hebron Hills, on Routes 317 and 60. In most of them, no military presence is apparent, but rather an array of pillboxes monitor the villages. Roadblocks are frequently set up according to the settlers and the army's needs. These are located at the Zif Junction, the Dura-al Fawwar crossing, and the Sheep Junction at the southern entrance to Hebron.
Updated April 2022
Muhammad D.Jan-4-2026At the Nassar family in Wadi Ras al-Jerfan
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