Huwwara north

Huwwara North Thursday PM, 10. 02.05Observers: Galit G., Roni K. (reporting)summary: a calm shift, no particularly unusual events.14:10: Relatively light traffic. The checkpoint commander, A., (not O., the "great"), works quietly and relates to us correctly. Even though there is no pressure, the alternative side lane is in operation during the whole time, for the use of older people and families. At a certain point, A. brings people over there on his own initiative to make things easier.When we arrived at the checkpoint, there were 3 people in detention, who were released in half an hour. This continued to be the situation: a few detainees in the shed, all of them released after a period of not more than half an hour. Except for one instance: a driver of a rescue unit, who came to tow away a taxi that had been stuck since the morning, was detained for several hours since then. The documents and also the keys had been confiscated. We turned to A. and, after a short time, it was released. However, only one key was returned, which necessitated more waiting. Meanwhile, until the soldiers finally found the second key, we talked with the man, usually a taxi driver, who because of financial difficulties was now doing any job that came his way (he was also known to the soldiers as a taxi driver). We asked him about easing of restrictions, if there was any, but his reply was quite clear: negative. He especially complained about the situation of the taxi drivers at the northern checkpoint, who were vulnerable to abuse because of the imaginary line, not, for example, like the southern checkpoint, where there is an organized parking lot.Another man with whom we talked was Mr. F., known to us from previous visits. Mr. F., determined and rather elderly, is a successful merchant. A refined man, western educated, always elegantly dressed. According to him, there is a certain easing of conditions. For example, now he doesn't hesitate to turn to the soldiers for help – they relate to him. And that is certainly a change, because the last time that we met him, a few weeks ago, we saw him stuck in a crowded line being pushed toward the turnstiles. Besides that, it was important to him to tell us about an incident that happened last Thursday, exactly a week ago, when a young man was caught with explosives at the checkpoint, and all the traffic was stopped until late at night. In his opinion, the whole incident was clearly staged and its source was in the army.16:10: Very little traffic at the checkpoint. 3 detainees in the shed, young men of high school age. We had already asked A. about them previously, so we tried again and then left the area.