Dura-Al Fawwar Junction, Hakvasim (sheep) Junction, Halhul, Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills

Place:

Dura-Al Fawwar Junction

Hakvasim (sheep) Junction

Halhul

Sansana (Meitar Crossing)

South Hebron Hills

Observers:

Muhammad and Daphna; Translator: Natanya

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Sep-20-2021

Morning

A vineyard between the settlements Carmel and Maon

Photo:

Daphna Jung

Meitar, almost as usual, full of cars and workers, even though today is the eve of Sukkot for the Jews and there will of course be a closure info-icon , in the afternoon ....

Road 60, Samu' Junction - open.

In Othniel, the construction of another huge yeshiva, in progress ... - open.

Kilkis Square - the road that was closed for years! Open, while in the direction of Hebron, closed with concrete blocks.

Sheep Junction - open.

Overall there is much traffic.

Road 356, dirt entrances at the road which leads to the vineyards, blocked with stones.

At the entrance to Halhul, there is a pillbox but the entrance is open.

In front of the cowsheds of the settlements Carmel and Maon, a huge area had been cultivated for vineyards, as you can see in the picture, with a fence and a gate around it and thousands of new seedlings ....

Asa'el, as I have already written, their expansion, in width and height ..... The houses were once on pillars and now, the columns are closed with concrete and walls, another floor .....

Happy holiday to us and Palestinians under closure and not allowed to enter Israel even those who have permits.....

Location Description

Hakvasim (sheep) Junction

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One of the roadblocks (earthworks, rocks, concrete blocks or iron gates info-icon ) that prevent transit of vehicles to Route 60 in the southern West Bank and block the southern entrance to Hebron. A manned pillbox supervises the place.

Dura/Al Fawwar Junction

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Junction on Route 60: west - the town of El Dura, east - the Al Fawwar refugee camp. There is a manned pillbox at the junction. From time to time the army sets up flying checkpoints at the entrance to El Fawwar and Al Dura. Al-Fawwar is a large refugee camp (7,000 inhabitants in 2007) established in 1949 to accommodate Palestinian refugees from Be'er Sheva and Beit Jubrin and environs. There are many incidents of stone-throwing. In the vicinity of the pillbox there are excellent agricultural areas, Farmers set up stalls adjacent to the plots close to the road. In recent months the civil administration info-icon has set up dirt embankments thereby blocking access to the stalls, and making it impossible for the farmers to sell their vegetables.

Updated April 2021, Michal T.

Yata / Southern Hebron hills

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Yatta is a city located in the South Hebron Hills region. It is located in the border zone between the fertile area of Hebron and its surroundings and the desert of the Hebron Hills. Yatta has about 64,000 inhabitants. The surrounding villages are called Masafar Yatta (Yatta's daughter villages). Their inhabitants subsist on livestock and agriculture. Agriculture is possible only in small plots, especially near streams. Most of the area consists of rocky terraces.

Since the beginning of the 1980s, a number of settlements have been established on the agricultural land cultivated by the Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills region: Carmel, Maon, Susia, Masadot Yehuda, Othniel, and more. Since the settlements were established and Palestinians cultivation areas have been reduced; the residents of the South Hebron Hills have been suffering from harassment by the settlers. Attempts to evict and demolish houses have continued, along with the withholding of water and electricity. The military and police usually refrain from intervening in violent incidents between settlers and Palestinians do not enforce the law when it comes to the investigation of extensive violent Jewish settlers. The harassment in the South Hebron Hills includes attacking and attempting to burn residential tents, harassing dogs, harming herds, and preventing access to pastures.

There are several checkpoints in the South Hebron Hills, on Routes 317 and 60. In most of them, no military presence is apparent, but rather an array of pillboxes monitor the villages. Road blocks are frequently set up according to the settlers and the army's needs. These are located at the Zif Junction, the Dura-al Fawwar crossing, and the Sheep Junction at the southern entrance to Hebron.

Updated April 2022

Apr-10-2024

Muhammad D.

Sa'ir - Yael and Ahmad

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Meitar

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Sansana (Meitar Crossing)

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The checkpoint is located on the Green Line and serves as a border crossing between Israel and the West Bank. It is managed by the Border Crossing Authority of the Defense Ministry. It is comprised of sections for the transfer of goods as well as a vehicle checkpoint (intended for holders of blue identity cards, foreign nationals or diplomats and international organizations). Passing of Palestinians is prohibited, except for those with entry permits to Israel. Palestinians are permitted to cross on foot only. The crossing has a DCO (District Coordination Office), a customs unit, supervision, and a police unit.

In the last year, a breach has been opened in the fence, not far from the crossing. This breach is known to all, including the army. There does not appear to be any interest in blocking it, probably as it permits needed Palestinian workers without the bureaucratic permits to get to work in Israel. Food stalls and a parking area economy have been created, but incidents of violent abuse by border police have also been recorded.

Updated April 2022