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Hebron, Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills

Observers: Nina Berger, Lydia (guest), Hagit S.S. (reporting); Translator: Charles K.
May-27-2015
| Morning

This time we met M. at Shoqet junctions after he had a flat tire repaired.

Meitar crossing – trucks and cars; quiet.

On the way – Susya – the neighborhood under construction is expanding.

The new construction is also advancing in Carmel.

We visited our friend Fadel in Umm Faqara.  He, his two wives and most of his children (who today began their long summer vacation – until September) hosted us in their cave.  It was cool and very pleasant.  Also outside the cave, the breeze blowing at this height made it very comfortable, compared with the temperature of 44 centigrade today in the coastal plain.

 

Today’s tour was filled with explanations for our guest from Europe.  She’s very interested, asks questions, sees the harsh conditions and slowly begins to understand how complicated things are here.  She saw, for example, the demolished buildings at Dir’at and Raba’iyya when we passed by.

 

Hebron

For some reason there are more soldiers than usual at Curve 160, but they seem relaxed.  The checkpoint is closed at the moment.

Our circuit of the Cave of the Patriarchs, Shuhada Street, Tel Rumeida, all the sights familiar to us, was refreshed for us by the questions and impressions of our guest.

 

The Pharmacy checkpoint is closed and deserted.  Something new opposite the rubble of the demolished “Hazon David” synagogue:  the booth at the border between Hebron and Kiryat Arba is now manned by soldiers instead of by the Kiryat Araba guard.  Apparently to ensure the attempts (which have already been made) to rebuild the synagogue won’t succeed. 

At the end of our tour we stopped for humus and knafe at a new place and were met with many smiles and much interest.

  • 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:

       

      1. Bet Hameriva CP- manned with a pillbox
      2. Kapisha quarter CP (the northern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
      3. The 160 turn CP (the southern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
      4. Avraham Avinu quarter - watch station
      5. The pharmacy CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
      6. Tarpat (1929) CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
      7. Tel Rumeida CP - guarding station
      8. Beit Hadassah CP - guarding station

      Three checkpoints around the Tomb of the Patriarchs

      חברון - בקשת פיצויים בגין הפקעת אדמה
      Muhammad D.
      May-13-2026
      Hebron - Request for compensation for land expropriation
  • Meitar checkpoint / Sansana

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    • Meitar Checkpoint / Sansana The checkpoint is located on the Green Line and serves as a border crossing between Israel and the West Bank. It is managed by the  Border Crossing Authority of the Defense Ministry. It is comprised of sections for the transfer of goods as well as a vehicle checkpoint (intended for holders of blue identity cards, foreign nationals or diplomats and international organizations). Passing of Palestinians is prohibited, except for those with entry permits to Israel. Palestinians  are permitted to cross on foot only. The crossing  has a DCO / DCL / DCL / DCL (District Coordination  Office), a customs unit, supervision, and a police unit. In the last year, a breach has been opened  in the fence, not far from the crossing. This breach is known to all, including the army. There does not appear to be any interest in blocking it, probably as it permits needed Palestinian workers without the bureaucratic permits to get to work in Israel. Food stalls and a parking area economy have been created, but incidents of violent abuse by border police have also been recorded. Updated April 2022
  • 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

       

       

      אמבולנס מחכה מול המחסום הסגור באל פוואר
      Yael Zoran
      Jun-18-2026
      An ambulance is waiting in front of the closed checkpoint in El-Fawwar
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