Za’atra, Huwwara, Beit-Furik , Wednesday 12.4.06 AMObservers: Nina S., Hanna A. (reporting)Opposite Marda, next to the deserted house covered with netting there are 2 military vehicles parked and manned.7.50 Zeita – the gate is open.8.00 Za’atara JunctinThere are 25 cars inline from the west. No passage to residents of Jenin, Tul Kaarem and a few quarters of Nablus due to “the operation”, according to the soldiers. No terrorist action or any other excuse is anymore necessary to justify, for the Israelis, the continued brutal crashing of the Palestinians.From Zaatra direction – 30 cars.Contrary to what was said in the western CP, here all coming from Nablus & environs aged 15 – 30 cannot pass. There are 3 passage points operating and next to them a heap of rubbish under a wish of peaceful passage sign put up by the army.8.15 – a nurse and a worker of the ministry of health on their way to Salfit are sent back. They are under 30 and live in Nablus. A military police sergeant, very polite, agrees for them to wait until we speak with the DCO whose rep is not here. The cab driver is stopped and released 10 minutes later. Apparently he tried to drive around the CP (he had humanitarian reasons having the nurse in his cab). According to the Military police, they may stop for punishment, with an officer’s permit, up to 3 hours (This should be checked). After our talk to the DCO the nurse is allowed to continue but the local commander of the CP lets the health ministry worker pass too.A teacher from Nablus, working in Salfit, is not allowed to pass. What about her pupils? What are the results of their not having school?Public transport, Buses may pass.8.39 – A flying CP at Ytzhar junction. Tens of cars that cannot be counted. Some are being checked. They crowd in 3 lines and block the passage to the north where quickly 2 lines are created going south and we are amongst them – total blockage of the road. Our phone to the DCO was answered that they will try and see what can be done. 8.50 -The road block Nails are moved, probably to enable passage coming from the south. More army arrives and an officer tries and succeeds to dislodge slowly the traffic jam. We got through at 8.55.9.00 Huwwara – 7 drivers are sent to the detainee’s enclosure. One is very cross as the soldier cursed his mother. The guarding soldier smiles and is asked by one detainee “happy?” very happy is the answer of the soldier who tries to educate the Palestinian. “I get up at 3 am so you will not create trouble here”. He is trying to get their appreciation. A few minutes later one of them is released whilst being told” you ruined my fence, I worked 2 hours on it”.2 physical checking points, 1 ID checking station. When the soldiers are not about the whereabouts of someone’s village they check with their superiors before they decide if to send them back or let them pass.Few are leaving Nablus (no more then 15 people gather in line) but very many are entering.Apart from this there are the “normal” sights of those “crawling” along the long way between the two ends of the Checkpoint. A man is being pushed along on a wheelchair, an old lady slowly walks with difficulty all the way, it seems she cannot see well and does not know the route along the CP (as it changes from the to time).An old man with too canes shuffles along the way, his back and legs are bad and he carries with him a plastic back with the wheel of his wheelchair to repair in Nablus We want to stop a car to give him a lift, but they are too high for him to climb into. At last we stop a UN car and ask them to give him a lift through the CP to the cabs on the other side. And as always, women with babies in their arms and people carrying their belongings have to walk the long way between the ends of the CP.In the settlers bus/lift shelter there is a soldier guarding the road.9.15 – Beit FurikThe CP commander will not let us park where we always park, just outside the CP as “he is responsible for our safety”. There is a danger alert! Due to the same reason we are also not allowed near The CP. All this while there are only 2 soldiers in sight of the whole CP, one not even wearing a helmet and checking is done outside the CP on the path. There is very little passage either way.9.55 – at Huwwara the detainees are still in the enclosure.9.59 – there are more then 20 cars at Ytzhar Junction.10.10 – 7o cars at Zaatra north. Only 2 checking points. Now there are blue police here too checking IDs of cars going north. A Palestinian has to wait until an Israeli car is checked though he arrived there before the Israeli. We phoned the DCO to ask for more checkers.10.20 – The cars next to Marda have gone.About a kilometer east of the CP, on entrance into Israel, there is a new CP being erected. Another sign of annexation and one sided Israeli actions in the field.