'Azzun 'Atma, Habla, Huwwara, Thu 24.1.13, Afternoon

Translator:  Charles K.

A holiday in Palestine:  The Prophet Muhammad’s birthday

There are usually many vehicles on Thursday afternoon, but not today.

13:55  Habla checkpoint– A female MP says the DCO 

won’t allow into Habla two horses that two Israelis

are leading to the gate.  The Israelis say the horses’

owners are waiting on the other side of the nearby

gate to Habla.  We call the humanitarian office and

the Tulkarm DCO:  Tedesa explains that animals can

go through only at the Eliyahu gate because they

need the type of permits required at an international

                                                                                   border crossing.

The note with information on the checkpoint’s hours that had been stuck on the gate, is gone.

14:10  Eliyahu crossing– Police are present.

14:45  Huwwara checkpoint– A structure resembling 

an ancient tomb is under construction in the plaza

before the checkpoint.  It’s certainly not intended

for hitchhikers.

No soldiers at the vehicle inspection locations.

  Light traffic to and from Nablus.  A soldier on

guard where the hitchhikers stand at the

entrance to the Beracha settlement, and another in the guard tower opposite the hitchhiking station at the settlement’s exit.

15:20  Za’tara checkpoint– Border police soldiers at the checkpoint.  The inspection booths aren’t manned.

15:40 – Azzun Atma checkpoint– Only a few laborers returning home (because of the holdity).