Huwwara, Beit Furik Thursday 9.11.06, MorningObservers : Nava E, Nurit B (reporting)06.20 – the gates at Zita and Marda are open.06.25- Za’atra : 23 vehicles waiting in the Eastern direction, 13 in the Western direction. Crossing directives : 18-25 year olds forbidden to leave Nablus, 16-25 year olds from Jenin. No special instruction regarding those leaving Tulkarm.There are no special instructions following yesterday’s bombardment in Beit Chanun in which two families were killed, amongst them small children. 06.50 – Sparse pedestrian traffic at such an early hour. About 5 cars waiting to leave Nablus; none waiting to enter the cjty. No detainees. We hear from American human rights activists leaving Nablus that a strike has been announced in the town, due to yesterday’s events.07.10 – The humanitarian line is open. 07.20 – A new rule for drivers who want to enter Nablus : they must stop their car 2 meters from the checkpoint, the driver must approach the soldiers on foot, present his documents, wait for entry approval, and when he receives it he can return to his car and enter the city. B.., the checkpoint commander explains that in this way he protects his soldiers. 07.34 Awarta – very lively traffic. We hear from one of the drivers that a new checkpoint has been opened to the North of Nablus, at El Bad’an.08.0 Beit Furik – a line of cars surprises us when we arrive. A convoy of more than 30 cars, and the drivers pounce on us when we arrive ; one of them told us that he has been waiting since 5 am. The checkpoint commander explains that a specific warning had been received early in the morning and therefore he must make a more thorough examination than usual. We stand next to the soldiers and it seems to us that our There is the usual pedestrian traffic at this hour, although the soldiers are bad tempered and hostile. Pedestrians are told to perform the well-known “dance” : to lift up their shirts, loosen their belts and take off their socks. Its strange to see such a thorough examination of people wanting to enter Nablus, when just a few kilometers away, at Huwwara, those entering Nablus are not examined at all. And in fact, why do IDF soldiers examine people coming out of Israel ?At 09.15, when the line of vehicles shortens and only 5 which arrived a short time ago are left, we leave.09.30 Huwwara – pedestrian traffic had increased somewhat, and the line of vehicles at the exit from Nablus lengthened. No cars waiting at the entrance to the city. No detainees.09.40 – The checkpoint on the road leading to Yitshar is empty.10.00 – Za’atra 5 cars are waiting in the Westerly direction, 19 in the Eastern direction.[MS]