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Hebron, Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills

Observers: Hagit Back (reporting and photographing); Natanya Ginsburg (translating)
Jun-18-2018
| Morning

At Meitar checkpoint there is extensive renovations in the area and trucks engaged in “back to back.” (Goods moved from one area to another, either from Palestine to Israel or vice  versa). Many cars and a private initiative of a Palestinian from  Dahariya who has made a parking lot on his land and charges 5 shekel. The other parking lot is also packed. In the morning 7000 workers went through to Israel without problems. At 7.15 the area was empty.

It is  the first day of work after Ramadan and the holiday.

On road 60 and until Hebron there are no barricades except at the crossroads of Dura and the usual post next to the pool.

We know how and the occupation if felt in H2. But we wanted to see how the occupation is felt in H1.

We decided to enter Hebron and to find the pillboxes in area H1.

The first pillbox in the  southern part of Hebron is on the hill which overlooks the entire neighborhood of Abu Snan.

The road there begins at the Gross circle, next to  the cemetery, and there is a gate which only opens for military vehicles. We came from the other direction.

We spoke to people who told us that the military vehicles disturb them. Most of them were scared to talk.

In the pictures below:

The gate at  the Sahali street on the other side of  the checkpoint of the chemist shop which is called by the Palestinians the Container checkpoint. The children from this neighborhood have to pass through each day to their way to school El Ibrahimiya. The gate in the picture is closed on Jewish holidays. The question is whether the children can get to school or not.

In the next picture – the archaeological digs at the southern side of Tel Rumeida. This is what the ancient olive orchard of the Abu Heichal family lood like. They can no longer come to their family orchardfrom the this direction because the steps have been destroyed.

We hope to see the occupation from the North side of Hebron next time.

In H1 there are more than six pillboxes in the area.

And besides, there is nothing new.

A gate in Sahali street which is on the other side of the Pharmacy checkpointPhoto: Hagit Back
  • 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 - יוסרי ג'אבר וחלק ממשפחתו
      Raya Yeor
      Dec-18-2025
      Hebron - Yusri Jaber and part of his family
  • Meitar checkpoint / Sansana

    See all reports for this place
    • 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

    See all reports for this place
    • 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

       

       

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