Hebron, South Hebron Hills, Wed 29.12.10, Morning
29.12.2010 Translation: Bracha B.A.
We left Tarkomiya at 09:30.
Route 35
A group of soldiers is waiting at back of the pillbox at the humanitarian checkpoint. At the entrance to Kiryat Arba our driver Mohammed is asked to show his ID and we all show ours and demand that all be checked. The soldier does so to appease us, saying "as you wish." When we ask for his name he says, "I came here by myself" (a common child's reply in Hebrew). Unpleasant. Today we covered our usual route in reverse and began with Abed at the Cave of the Patriarchs. We met a large group of Christians from EAPPI and heard about their activities.
Hebron
At Tel Romeida we talk with soldiers from the Lavi Brigade. The lieutenant tells us that we are brave and asks, "aren't you afraid that the Palestinians will harm you?"
They feel the Palestinians are bringing their situation upon themselves, and report that a week ago they saw Palestinian children throwing stones at people from the TIPH. The unit commander arrives and we have a good discussion with him too. He is aware of the complexity of the situation here and in general. On our way from the Shouhada Street we meet Yehuda from "Breaking the Silence" who is touring with a large group of Israelis.
At the grocery store near Tarkomiya they have run out of olive oil.
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
Leah ShakdielApr-8-2025Hebron: A sign advertising a tempting real estate
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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
Yael ZoranMay-22-2025The bumpy road to Ata's house
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