According to decisions made by the Israeli government and on the basis of ongoing security assessments, the Hawarra and Barrel crossings, both located in the Shechem area, will now operate 24 hours a day, easing movement in the area, the IDF stated in a press release. These two crossings join the Atzira A-Shamalia checkpoint that operates 24 hours a day as of last week.
The IDF stated that the round the clock opening of the crossings is part of “goodwill measures taken in the region.” The move was authorized following meetings held between the OC Central Command, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni, the Head of the Judea and Samaria Division, Brig. Gen. Noam Tibon, the Head of the Civil Administration, Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, and officials in the Palestinian Authority.