Beit Furik, Huwwara, Shomron Crossing, Za'tara (Tapuah), Sun 7.7.13, Morning

9:45  We entered through the Shomron Gate. All was quiet and normal.

 

Za'atra (Tapuach Junction)   Two military jeeps were inside the central area; one military jeep was by the side of the road to Nablus. There was no visible action..

 

The valley on the road  to Beit Dajan was the same as for the last month - a dry, yellow color with herds of sheep and goats grazing, and yellow tankards for water scattered throughout the valley. We heard the bell on the donkey of the shepherd, and then the same herd came past us and hurried down into the valley.

 

Across the valley we could see the village Beit Furiq. We noted that on the slope, a little above the village, were a number of apartment buildings each several stories tall. These are very different from the usual houses in the village. Nadim says they are a new housing development for young families in the village without enough room to expand.

 

A passing taxi driver said that the area was quiet. Huwwara checkpoint was completely quiet. Huwwara, the town, was bustling; business as usual.

We left through the Eliyahu Gate. The banality of the occupation.