Hebron, Sansana, South Hebron Hills, Tarqumiya, Sun 11.10.09, Morning
Sansana-Meytar
When we arrive, the workers have already left the Palestinian side and await their transport on the Israeli side. These are the "authorized" workers, in possession of work permits.
South Hebron Hills
The workers who are desperate to make their living but who do not possess the treasured permits have to take the risk and attempt to cross the "loose" point on the security fence, somewhere between Ramadin and Kibbutz Lahav, in the slim hope of making it past the army patrol and finding a day's work. This is where human hunting takes place. Following Gideon Levi's mesmerizing piece in this past week's Ha'aretz weekend Magazine, M took us to a place at the far end of Ramadin. Many workers stood on hilltops around, tensely following the patrol Jeep hovering on the faraway rods. They pointed at some figures who moved at a distance, who were clearly unable to cross the border, as the Jeep was already chasing them – and indeed, they were very soon caught up.
"If we told you what we go through here, a mere 24hrs couldn't have been enough" one of them sighs. "When they get any of us, they immediately confiscate our cell phones, confiscate the vehicles and crash them – and you, try to file a complaint!"
It occurs to me that the broken passage in the fence may have been left so on purpose, for the joy of hunting. Suddenly, everyone mounted the vehicles and disappeared, because the Jeep was approaching. The Patrol called upon us. They were from the Army's Civilian (as distinguished from Combative/Front) Division. When Leah explains to the officer what was the purpose of our visit, and presented to him Gideon Levi's piece, he told us: "this is not here. We don't know of this. We just perform our jobs in the best possible way, just as you do yours." If their job is to occupy, then they certainly do it most energetically.
Hebron
No special events. We went up to Tel Rumeida, turning right to Jabel Rahma neighbourhood, beyond which lies the bustling city.
Opposite the shops just in front of the Patriarchs' Tombs' Cave, three detainees stood waiting, for their documents to be returned to them: it took about 20min (5 subsequent to our arrival).
Road 35
The special units (military) blocked an entry to one of the roads, explaining that this was on account of a stolen vehicle that was found.
Tarquomiya
We decided that our CP (Sansana-Meytar) is "nicer". The security person who checked our documents was rude.
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
MuhammadFeb-24-2026South Hebron Hill, Beit Hagai: Paving an internal security road
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Tarqumiya CP
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The Tarqumiya Checkpoint is one of the largest and busiest checkpoints where people and goods cross into Israel. It is located on the Separation Barrier close to the Green Line, on Road 35 (connecting Beer Sheva and Hebron). It is run by the Israel Defense Ministry’s Crossings Administration with civilian secuirty companies running the day to day operations. The checkpoint is indeed open to vehicles in both directions 24/7, but Palestinians are prevented from crossing in vehicles, except in special cases. MachsomWatch activists visit the checkpoint as it opens at 3:45 am, in order to observe the daily passage of nearly 10,000 Palestinian workers. The workers arrive from throughout the Southern West Bank. Our activists report on the tremendous overcrowding at this checkpoint; they have observed young men climbing and scrambling on the fences and roofs of the ‘access cages’. This is how the work day begins for those who ‘build the land of Israel’. updated November 2019
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