Two separate protests of lack of security continued Wednesday morning at the Sufa Crossing near Gaza Belt communities and at the Sheep Junction, located at the southwestern edge of Hevron. Dozens of farmers from moshavim and kibbutzim blocked the Sufa Crossing for the second straight day. They charged that humanitarian aid that passes through Sufa goes for the needs of Hamas terrorists who have fired mortar shells and rockets on the western Negev on a daily basis.

Near Hevron, southern Hevron Hills residents are holding daily prayer services in the morning and evening in order to force the IDF to be present and patrol the road. The government opened up the junction last week following pressure from American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Regional Council leader Tzviki Bar-Chai said that meetings have been held with the defense establishment but no positive solutions have been received. Terrorists carried out several attacks at the junction, including one that killed three soldiers, before it was blockaded.