Shaked, Rihan

Shaked, Rihan, Sunday, February 27, 2005, PM Observers: Chani R. Carmel B. (reporting)12:40 - Shaked gate The gate is closed, pupils still come and continue to do so until 12:55. At 1:00 PM there are already 30 school children waiting by the gate. A military vehicle (Hummer) passes by but doesn't stop to open the gate. We call the operations officer and 5 minutes later, a Jeep arrives on site, the gate is opened and the students go through (Adults are requested to present papers). An old man with a donkey goes in as well as three old people from Dir al-Maleh; all are going into the seamline area. The soldier asks where come from and following consultation, he says that it is okay to let them in. He even stays a bit longer and asks the kids if other pupils are expected soon. A father who came to pick up his child, complains of the fact that the soldiers do not open the gate on time.13:30 A military "Hummer" shows up precisely on time. The gate is opened for 2-3 school children, who arrived at the gate. The soldier asks them if there are more on the way.13:50 – Rihan One car is waiting and there are about 8 pedestrians in line. Workers return home. Two are detained in the shed. One has been detained for 2 hours now, his ID card is being inspected. He has no passage permit. As soon as we arrive, he is let free. His request was to cross to Barta'a, to pick up a paycheck for his sick father, who, due to his illness can't do it in person. 14:20 -- There are 3 new detainees, lacking passage permits. They were wandering in the CP area with the hope of sneaking in. A soldier, wearing a skullcap leads them, yelling, into the pen. He orders each one to sit by the wall and avoid talking. Within 15 minutes they are freed. There is no passage of farmers into the seamline zone, because the suicide bomber, from last Friday, entered Israel with such a permit. According to Fuad, it'll take a few days before this new restriction will be lifted. 15:15 -- A line of 8 cars and 15 pedestrians are waiting inspection. An Ethiopian female soldier talks with those going through, in a polite manner. The CP commander, H., tries to answer our questions politely too.