'Azzun 'Atma, Habla
06:00 – Azzun Atma?
The checkpoint has vanished…We approach and see a traffic jam. A huge truck, tractors, and a steamroller are present. They arrived at the entrance to Sha'are Tikva, past the point where the checkpoint has been. After driving around we began to understand what was going on. The new road surrounded Azzun Atma from both parts of the village. We drove on and met workers getting into their cars on the side of the road. They told us that the opening they now drive through would be closed from January 15th, and they would then have to drive to Eyal checkpoint. They are not happy with this arrangement and hope that another arrangement would be made at the last minute. We drove on to Habla.
06:30 – Habla
The gate opened for only ten minutes and we saw workers arriving with electric bicycles.
A man approached us and explained that his brother had received a permit to cross at the Eyal Checkpoint from the DCO after paying NIS 8500. He crossed through Eyal checkpoint for two weeks, and was suddenly arrested and accused of having a false permit. There are many others like him.