Hebron, Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills
Meitar checkpoint: All breaches in the fence have been completely repaired. There is no movement on Shabbat. There are few army patrols, but the atmosphere is completely different from what it used to be.
Hebron:
On the way to the Cave of the Patriarchs, called the Axis of Zion, Israeli flags are hoisted on a house that looks as if it is in the midst of construction. This is the House of Resurrection, about 200 meters before the House of Contention. The house was purchased, in mysterious ways that have already been reported by Jews but the settlers have been evacuated. In the meantime, the army is securing the house until a decision is made.
The plan is clear: applying the pincer movement, the settlers are trying to encircle the Cave of the Patriarchs by purchasing houses around it.
Cave of the Patriarchs area: Much work is being done on development. There is also tourist traffic again. There is also a police car with American Jews, inviting people to a special experience in front of the Cave of the Patriarchs.
Since there were soldiers walking around all the time, I did not photograph them.
In Abed’s shop: Abed tells of the demolition of a wall at the entrance, as part of the preparations for the elevator. He says they are destroying regardless of the feelings of the Muslims. Emotions are an important thing, and maintaining the sanctity of the place, in coordination with the Muslims, is even more important. We are not allowed to enter the Muslim side to see, but we can see the quantities of flags hanging throughout the building.
A young man who has returned from a long stay in Denmark (here is my heart , he answers my question to whydid he returned to this difficult place) speaks of his longing for peace and how very disappointed he is in the leaders of the two peoples who do not work for it. The despair is great with us, he says. The future is not clear. No wonder there are a lot of acts of despair, he says.
We were happy to meet Avner Gvaryahu from “Breaking the Silence”, leading a large group from Germany. He is happy to see us and introduces us to them as the bravest women in Israel, asking us to tell about MachsomWatch. We told them a little about our experiences.
Kafisha neighborhood: The neighborhood is stuck in the middle between H1 and H2. We were happy to see that the gate next to it was opened after years of being closed and before the residents had to work in a back-to-back format with soldiers guarding. To the residents it seems unclear what the fate of this opening will be. They mumble vague, embarrassed sentences.
The grocery store is happy to point out that in their opinion it has opened forever. Time will tell.
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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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
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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
Leah ShakdielApr-29-2026South Hebron Hills. The turn to 'Afeka', one of the new outposts facing Abda
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