Reihan, Shaked, Sat 21.4.12, Morning
0730-0800- Tura-Shaked
The checkpoint and its surroundings appear to be under construction. We thought it was time to dismantle the checkpoint but on the ground the picture seems just the opposite.
Traffic streams along in both directions with no delays. Pedestrians, vehicles and even a horse and its rider.
We are told that at around 07:00 traffic was heavy and people had to wait almost half an hour. At this time everything is open.
A truck loaded with small tobacco sidlings. The cultivated fields are waiting to be planted.
0810-0900 Barta'a-Reihan
Here too the momentum of renovation continues: along and above each sleeve's entrance a plastic roof was installed, new plants were planted, and paintings of country landscape cover the western side of the wall of the parking area.
It seems that traffic streams along smoothly on both side, there are no detainees sitting on the bench at the entrance to the terminal. Despite that people do report of people delayed inside "due to the machines". Apparently the body screening machines delays the passage.
On the way back we brought Marie and Amjad to the Physical Therapy clinic in Um-el-Fachem.