Hebron, South Hebron Hills, Mon 11.7.11, Morning
tran. by Charles K.
Meytar crossing
All the laborers have already crossed. The relatives of prisoners aren’t at the crossing either. Two buses on the Palestinian side.
Route 60
Light traffic on the road; few military vehicles as well.
An observation balloon in the air. A flying checkpoint at the entrance to Dahariyya. The army “strikes camp” when we arrive. We apparently showed up when the morning checkpoint was scheduled to close down.
A pillbox on the hill opposite Deir Razeh, observing the road to Neguhot. For months we’ve seen military bulldozers working there intensively.
They’re apparently expanding the emplacement, paving a road and…maybe more.
Otherwise, we don’t see any military activity anywhere. The summer heat and school vacation affect everything.
Hebron
The guard at the entrance to Kiryat Arba smiles as an old friend. “Have some water,” he says. “It’s hot today.” Given the location and the situation, we’re always surprised when someone behaves decently toward us.
The entire town is napping deeply. No detainees
at the checkpoints. Relatively many settlers in many locations on Shuhadeh Street.
They always frighten us more than anything else, and we pass through the area quickly, without delays [particularly since no Palestinians are being harassed anywhere].
TIPH personnel are walking around for a change, and we see them speaking to people.
No other peace organizations are present.