May 29, 2002

Bethlehem Still Under Curfew

[Bethlehem, Palestine] Bethlehem is still under curfew, but it's supposed to be lifted for a few hours today. That means that the army must be thinking about a bit more of an extended stay. I think I'll use the time to pop into Jerusalem for a day or two. Actually, I have everything I need here in Bethlehem now -- enough food, water, phone and electricity, but I need to be there Friday, and this might be the only chance I get to leave.

Yesterday I only saw one tank the entire day. It rumbled quickly up the road between us and Beit Sahour, stopped in the middle of the road, turned around and went back. That was it. And I didn't hear much shooting either. It's been rather quiet on my side of town. The night sky was lit around Dheisheh though. I don't know what was happening, but it looked to be active.

And this morning a good friend called from Beit Sahour to tell me that the soldiers had gone through his home. They did not do any damage, just searched around with rifles drawn. Then they entered a nearby house and took a few of the residents. The rest of the family does not know when (or if) they will return.

View from my window: The shops are still closed

View from my window: The streets are still empty