Muhanned Qafesha, a resident of Tel Rumeida in Hebron, takes Mondoweiss through the arduous journey some residents of the city have been subjected to since Israeli forces made the town a closed military zone in November.

Following the establishment of the closed military zone Israel implemented a new number system in the area. Each household within the zone was given an ID number which is now necessary to be able to access Tel Rumaida. Anyone without a number is barred from entering the town.

Instead of being subjected the military checkpoint, many residents and visitors alike have instead chosen to take a footpath through the muddy back hills of Tel Rumeida to get home. The Israeli checkpoint used to be the most convenient entrance to their town, but now can take hours as Israel “heightens security.”

While the footpath is dangerous, and non-residents taking the path are doing so illegally, Qafesha said many choose to take the alternative entrance out of protest, while others take it because they have no other choice.

Video: Sheren Khalel and Abed al Qaisi

Music: Bakr Khalifa

Editor’s Note: Mondoweiss editors Philip Weiss and Adam Horowitz recently visited the same Israeli checkpoint in Hebron and conducted this impromptu interview with a Hebron resident attempting to return home.