Habla, Mon 17.5.10, Morning

 Habla gate.

Due to time constraints it was decided to visit only the Habla gate, which in any case is at present the problematic one in this area.

We arrive at 6.45 and despite reports to the contrary, the gate on our side is already open and the soldiers are in the process of opening the far gate.

The Palestinians go through the checking booth and the first ones exit at 6.54.  
The checking proceeds smoothly and without problems either for pedestrians or cars.

About 10 minutes later, the DCO (T.) arrives.  We call to him and he comes over to us.  
We ask him about the opening times of the gate for the school bus which is to return in the afternoon (with the Beduin children).  He assures us that the gate will be open till about 2.30 or 3.00 and told us that the driver was instructed to contact the head of the local council if there were any problems.  They would contact the DCO. 
He also promised that the whole procedure would be smoother in another couple of days.

At 8.15 promptly, the soldiers close the gate.  There is a van that needs to cross with plants for the nursery but because he arrived at 8.13 (!) the soldiers do not want to let him through.  
After continued requests from Palestinians on our side of the gate, they are persuaded to let him cross.

We leave.

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