Landmines cleared from Jesus' baptism site

[Eldorado]

Fifty years ago, the “land of the monasteries” in the Jericho-area wilderness, near the baptism site of Qasr al Yahud, was declared a closed military area. Since then it has remained virtually untouched by humans.

Seven monasteries in the area remained closed and fenced, with anti-personnel and anti-tank mines added for good measure.

Up to 1967 the area was under Jordanian rule, enjoying brisk tourism and pilgrim traffic. After the Six Day War it was a focus of tension, and the area became the scene of chases after infiltrators. The head of the army’s Central Command and the commander of the Jordan Valley Brigade ordered the area mined and booby-trapped.

Now, the Mine Action Authority at the defense ministry, the Halo Foundation and 4CI are completing the removal of mines and unexploded ordinance from three of the monasteries. The intent is to clear the other four as well and return the area to the various churches, opening them up to tourists.

Full article with great pics: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.MAGAZINE-in-photos-jesus-baptism-site-accessible-after-landmines-cleared-1.6727000

The Halo Foundation: https://www.halotrust.org/baptismsite/about-the-baptism-site

Edited December 10, 2018 by Eldorado
Fix erroneous title

[eight bits]

His (traditional) baptism site. God only knows where Jesus was born (if he was born at all).

Your link is paywalled. Here's a similar story, not without pix:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/more-than-1500-landmines-cleared-at-jesus-baptism-site-on-jordan-river/

[Eldorado]

17 minutes ago, eight bits said:

His (traditional) baptism site. God only knows where Jesus was born (if he was born at all).

Your link is paywalled. Here's a similar story, not without pix:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/more-than-1500-landmines-cleared-at-jesus-baptism-site-on-jordan-river/

Thank you very, very much.  I should learn to read.  Doh.

There's no paywall at Haaretz, for me at least here in the UK.

Here's another link with some great photos: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6476833/Milestone-reached-efforts-clear-mines-Jesus-baptism-site.html

Edited December 10, 2018 by Eldorado