'Azzun 'Atma, Habla, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Mon 21.10.13, Morning
Habla, on the road to the checkpoint of 'Azzun 'Atma
It has been a long time since I visited the checkpoints. I looked at the gates and the fences and nothing had changed, other than the soldiers themselves. Palestine went onto Winter Time a week ago, but the times mentioned in the report are Israel time.
Habla
07:00-08;15 – The checkpoint is open. People go in by groups of five. Outside the checkpoint, 30-50 people are standing. Every few minutes, a group of 5 enters while the previous 5 are being checked, finish and go out the other side of the checkpoint.
A male and a female soldier are guarding the group so that they do not cross the inner gate. One hears the female soldier constantly shouting at everyone. Among those standing there a lot of arguments arise about their place in line.
We asked one of the people exiting what the argument was about and he said that they found a break in the fence, so there is more tension. Meanwhile, a military vehicle arrived with senior officers, While they are in the area, the entrance becomes quiet. Even the female soldier calms down and explains the situation to her superiors. They walk around. They have weapons, rank, and, by chance, are quite tall. After them, a jeep appears and more soldiers of high rank get out and walk around in the area. The passage through continues as usual. At 08;10 a bus comes through with students from Arab a Ramadin, from the direction of highway #55 toward the Habla checkpoint. According to the driver, another bus was supposed to come through, but we didn't wait any longer.
Cars with permits cross through in both directions. A horse and wagon go through; some of those arriving are on bicycles. They leave them in the area of the checkpoint and return to stand in line for inspection. After the inspection, they enter Israel or the seam area with the bicycles. There is very little traffic in general. One of the workers whom we questioned said that about 1000 people go through daily, in his opinion. Not during our shift.
From Habla to 'Azzun 'Atma
We traveled on highway #55 in the direction of Huwarra, by way of Funduq, Imatin, Qedumim, Jit. We didn't see olive pickers. Maybe they already finished in this area. We entered 'Azzun to bring some second-hand things and to visit.
We would like to ask those traveling in a private car, and going through 'Azzun, and who are willing to bring some "equipment" to be in touch with us.
There were hardly any military vehicles on the main road.
We return by way of Huwwara. At the crossroad of Za'tara, the guard booths were not manned and there was free movement for all vehicles.
'Azzun 'Atma
We arrived at about 11;30. The checkpoint was open, but there was no activity in the area.