חמרה (בקעות), תיאסיר
We thought we might be able to visit the village of Akaba where the civil authorities demolished several houses on Thursday, August 6th, but we were unable to.
We crossed Bezek Checkpoint at 07:30.
07:50 – Tayasir Checkpoint
A herd of goats is grazing by the side of the abandoned army base. The bushes by the side of the road used to be huge and overgrown but are now low and diminished.
The checkpoint is open. An army vehicle is parked on the side and a soldier is in the watchtower. We drive through the checkpoint in the direction of Akaba. A military vehicle comes towards us and stops. The soldiers, who are reservists, about 30 years old, tell us that Israelis cannot enter Akaba because of the tension in the area and the murder of the Palestinian child and his father in the firebombing. They say that they are responsible for our safety.
07:55– We turn around and begin to drive back and the soldiers follow us. They say they know us, and that we will undoubtedly try to turn around again and drive to Akaba. We give up and hope that Tzvia, Karin, and Yaakov Manor will be more successful.
08:30 – Hamra Checkpoint
The lane going westward is closed. People traveling in both directions are in the eastbound lane. A man and woman soldier from the Jordan Valley battalion approach us and want to know what we are doing there. There is light traffic in both directions at this hour. Drivers wave to us. Every car is stopped for a quick inspection.
We crossed Bezek checkpoint at 09:20 without any unnecessary questions.