Hebron, Khursa: The soldiers in the pillbox block the road as usual
Report During the Corona Crisis: Hebron and Khursa: The good thing about Corona is that the settlers are quiet.
Hebron
G.A. from Hebron told me that most of his time is now spent in the park near his home. In that way, both of us are very similar. At first, the settlers ganged up, shouted, and cursed but now he seldom sees them. There are severe closure instructions and the Palestinian police enforce them. The soldiers let any cross who wishes to.
A. lives near the Zion route and the Worshipers’ Route. It is now quite there, and he feels that this is the good thing about the Corona crisis.
He told me to take care of myself and I try to do that.
Khursa
T. called to ask how I was doing. He speaks excellent Hebrew. He tells me that the only cars he sees belong to settlers from Negohot. The soldiers on guard duty in the pillbox block the road as usual, but no one is going by. There is a problem with the supply of gas tanks, which requires special approval by the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The health instructions call for people to remain at home and people are following them. He is concerned about the upcoming month of Ramadan. Prayers in the mosques have been canceled.
Hebron
See all reports for this place-
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
Leah ShakdielApr-8-2025Hebron: A sign advertising a tempting real estate
-
Khursa / Al Marajem
See all reports for this place-
Khursa / Al Marajam
Khursa is a small village of about 2,500 inhabitants in Area A, on a hill on the way to Negohot settlement. At the end of September 2017, a pillbox watchtower was set up in the heart of the village, adjacent to the village's diwan, which is a sort of community center for celebrations such as weddings, or used as mourning tent. The army declared the place a closed military zone. In 2018, we saw another aggravation: a barrier of about 50 m, which divides the road into two, and a prohibition on passing vehicles, and then also a prohibition on pedestrians, who have to walk around on a dirt road - during winter on a mud road. Since the checkpoint was established, the army has required special permits to hold an event in Diwan and the permits must be requested at least two days in advance. Of course, the dying are not always cooperative ...together with the villagers we wondered what the meaning of this strange barrier in Area A, which is supposed to be under full control of the Palestinian Authority. Conclusion: It seems that in order to secure the way to the Negohot, the residents are forced to live with a closed military zone and a watchtower in the village center, and suffer many restrictions. (From Watch Checkpoint reports).
Recently, the Israeli authorities began, in the middle of the night, to pave a new bypass road from the nearby village Fuqeiqis to Negohot, Trying to establish facts and aiming to enlarge the settlement.
Updated in April 2021 by Anat T.
Raya YeorMay-15-2025No-traffic signs around Dahariya
-
