'Awarta, 'Azzun 'Atma, Huwwara, Shomron Crossing, Za'tara (Tapuah), Thu 18.7.13, Morning

Translator:  Charles K.

The month of Ramadan – light traffic on the roads of the West Bank, stores are open late.

06:20  Azzun Atma:  About 40 people on line beyond the revolving gate.  The crossing operates efficiently.  Palestinians report they didn’t wait long.  The sergeant wonders why we’re here; he’d never seen a shift from Machsom Watch.

Shomron crossing:  No police at the exit from Israel.

A truck loaded with bags of cement on its way to the settlements.

06:55  Za’tara/Tapuach:  The checkpoint isn’t manned.  Soldiers are in their posts around the plaza.  Police inspect Palestinian trucks by the roadside.

A number of military vehicles wait by the side of the roads in Huwwara.

Yitzhar/Burin checkpoints:  No military activity.

07:25  Beit Furik:  Not manned.

Everything’s normal in the village.  The streets are empty, the stores closed.  But at the entrance to the butcher shop animals are being slaughtered for the holiday dinner.

07:35  Awarta:  The yellow iron bar still blocks the entrance.

07:40  Huwwara:  Not manned.  Very little traffic to and from Nablus.

On the road up to Beracha – a soldier.  A number of settlers wait at the hitchhiking station, opposite a soldier in the guard tower.

Yitzhar/Burin checkpoints:  No soldiers.

Military vehicles are still parked on the town’s streets.  All the stores are closed; the falafel shop also, of course.

07:50  Za’tara/Tapuach:  No soldiers at the checkpoint.  Israeli police continue to inspect vehicles.

Shomron gate:  Normal traffic.