Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked

15:00 Shaked-Tura checkpoint

 We arrived at a deserted checkpoint but within three minutes it has filled up with people and vehicles which were crossing on both sides: women, children, students, and even workers. We meet them for the first time as they return from work. One of them, an old acquaintance from our morning shifts, always smiling and friendly, replies our ."How are you?" with :"What do you want from Gaza? Thousands have died, thousands "

At 15:30 more soldiers arrive for change of shifts.

An disabled man, who has arrived in his car, complains that he was hustled back and forth on foot to the inspection cabin. Another man waves his papers in front of the soldiers. Later we'll find out that his new car is not registered in his passage permit. He can drive it through only using the Barta'a checkpoint which is distant from here. Over there presenting driver's license bearing his name is sufficient.

At times he is allowed through this checkpoint and this is what has happened today. We have brought his case to Ana

16:00 Barta'a-Rihan checkpoint  

Here too it is calm at first but suddenly large groups of workers rush inside in a hurry. One yells at us :"Help us! Help us!, we want to cross without permits, freely!" Later another worker who apparently was aware of our helplessness, said: "Do not lose hope. All will be well".

We felt like crying.