A-Za'im crossing
A-Za'im is a critical security and transit artery located east of Jerusalem, serving as a primary link between the capital, Ma’ale Adumim, and the Judea and Samaria region.
The A-Za'im crossing is a strategic security terminal situated on the seam line between Jerusalem and the Judea and Samaria district. It facilitates the flow of traffic from the Ma’ale Adumim area and the E1 corridor into the northern and eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem. Beyond its role in civilian transit, the crossing is a vital component of Israel's security envelope around the capital, designed to monitor movement and prevent the infiltration of hostile elements into sovereign Israeli territory. In recent years, the crossing and its immediate surroundings have become a focal point for counter-terrorism efforts. The complex geography of the area, characterized by its proximity to the Palestinian town of Al-Eizariya, presents ongoing challenges for the Israel Police and Border Police (Magav). Security forces frequently operate in this sector to disrupt smuggling networks and neutralize threats emerging from the adjacent Palestinian-controlled areas. In June 2026, the crossing gained significant attention following the discovery of a sophisticated 25-meter-deep tunnel nearby. The shaft, dug from Al-Eizariya toward Israeli territory, was identified by authorities as a potential conduit for a major terror attack or the systematic smuggling of illegal entrants. This discovery underscored the evolving nature of the threat in the Jerusalem envelope, where subterranean infrastructure—once primarily associated with the Gaza front—has emerged as a concern in the heart of the country. The subsequent arrest of suspects from both Al-Eizariya and East Jerusalem highlighted the operational overlap between local residents and terror cells, reinforcing the strategic importance of the A-Za'im crossing as a defensive barrier. The site remains under high alert as security agencies continue to refine their detection capabilities and physical fortifications to protect the capital's eastern flank.