Hebron

We left Shoket junction at 07:40 to meet Netanya at the entrance to Kiryat Arba.  On the way we saw no checkpoints or soldiers by the roadside.

Hebron

08:30  We drive through Hebron.  Naha”l soldiers are now stationed there.  No one paid any attention to us at the entrance to the Cave of the Patriarchs; much of the fence there, the one restricting Palestinians, has been moved.

Up the road a soldier stops us, asks for ID.

Tel Rumeida: The excavation continues.  The workers are Bedouin from the Negev, about 30 in number.  There are three Ford Transit vans.  One of the drivers told us the contractor is from Rahat and works regularly with the Antiquities Authority.  As far as he knows, the excavation at Tel Rumeida will continue for about another month, and then they’ll move to the entrance.

We have to keep track of what’s going on.

Four Border Police soldiers are seated sunning themselves at the entrance to the excavation. 

(Though we’re told the IDF doesn’t have enough manpower to establish additional agricultural and other crossings.)