'Anabta, 'Azzun 'Atma, Eliyahu Crossing, Habla, Shave Shomron, Mon 19.11.12, Morning
The usual situation, very quiet and relaxed, in spite of everything that is happening in Gaza. During our conversations with the local people, everyone says that it is all because of the governments and that the people only want quiet; to live and to work.
06:20 'Azzun 'Atma
A lot of workers outside; a few - maybe 30 - waiting to cross through. The passage is swift and everything is quiet and relaxed. There is still no protection from the rain! Will someone ever do something about it? The Palestinians say that they are all going out to work, no change.
07:05 Habla
First group goes through, the gate has just opened. Normal passage, about 5 people pass through in 4-5 minutes. There are about 50 people in line, so they will be waiting in line for about an hour.
07:10
A bus full of children comes. They let the driver wait a minute until they bring him to have his documents checked. They also check the bus - what could they want to smuggle into Habla, and who cares? but they check. At 07:25 the bus of boys arrives. This time the driver goes directly into the inspection, but they also check this bus.
07:40
There are still a lot of people waiting. Wagons with horses and donkeys and cars are also waiting to cross.
08:05 Eliyahu Gate
As usual, there are 4 cars being inspected and about 20 pedestrians waiting to be checked.
We went through Azbet Tabib to see what was happening there. Everything was quiet, the school was open and the protest tents were closed. On the way to the main road by way of 'Azzun, there was business activity, people out in the street and everything was relaxed.
08:30 Shavei Shomron
The gate was open; no soldiers.
09:20 'Anabta checkpoint
Open, no soldiers to be seen in the area.