This was taken in the old city of Hebron (Souq). Some shops were now sealed by the Israelis and some may have been by owners. Suhuda street, which was the commercial centre had all the doors sealed shut so people had to go out of their homes a back way and the street is closed to Palestinians and still deserted. See more https://greenolivetours.com/the-story-of-shuhada-street/

Note from Desmond which I thought important to include.

Reminds me of the time I was there with you (in 2017?). Hebron is, of course, known as Al-Khalil by Arabs/Palestinians. 

At that time the area shown here, the market, was full of open shops. You will recall: While we were there, it was descended on by a huge number (a couple of thousand?) of Israelis, in full regalia Zionist regalia, who had come from outside Al-Khalil.  They were accomplanied by hundreds of so called Israeli Defence Force(IDF) soldiers. We gathered that they were “marching” through the centre of the city to mark the death anniversary of Sarah, the wife of Abraham. In the process they were very noisey, flaunting their power. They  forced all the shops in the market to stop functioning. Some of them provoked the Palestinian shopkeepers who had no option but to stay quietly resigned. There were some acts of violence. That was where we had our closest contact with Zionists and the IDF whom I call the ITF (Israeli Terrorist and Forces). 

Many children in the area have to go through checkpoints to get to school. Community peacemakers teams (CPT) accompany them to the checkpoints turnstiles where their bags are searched. CPT is there to reduce the trauma and chances of abuse by soldiers, see https://cpt.org/programs/palestine

This is just a sample of walking in Hebron. Eventually I found the way. It seems to be chaos with the trafffic and people crossng between cars but nobody can speed due too volumn.

Sunday Jan. 25
I attnded a the Lutheran Christma Church (see https://christmaslutheran.org/ ) and Nativity Square. I will upload video, etc hopefully soon. Heading to Yatta first thing in the morning.,

Looking over the rail from the area going out the door of the sanctuary, you see the street below and the vendors. Many stairs from street level to different areas of the church.

Manger Square

In the video going from the Peace Centre Restaurant to the Church of the Nativity, you may see me tryig to be firm when a man wants too help me. There are many who come up to me and want to give directions or a ride if a taxi driver, etc. And they all want money. And many say they need money to feed their six or seven children. This was not something you saw before 2023 or much lesss. Thse who once depended oon tourists, fnd that there are less and it has impacted their ability to provide.

There are many goods and food out on the street. It is easy just take something. But generally peeple are very trustworthy. Some have told me not to give money. Of course I would for where the real need is. Hamed, through his organization, HIRN, gives food parcels and firewood, etc to people in need in this area. I talked to him and he is willing to do a zoom meeting with us. He iis the most wonderful man with a heart for justice and a passion for helping the most vunerable.