OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS
P.O. Box 38712 East Jerusalem
Phone: (972) 2 – 5829962 / 5825853, Fax: (972) 2 – 5825841
OCHA Weekly Briefing Notes
Update for oPt (14 – 20 April 2004)
INSIDEINSIDE: Casualties — Incidents involving ambulances — Curfew — House demolition — Land levelling/confiscation — Checkpoints/roadblocks/Barrier/restrictions on movement — Education — Labour movement to Israel — Appendix
Palestinians: 16 deaths, 144 injured
Israelis: 1 death, 5 injured
Sources: OCHA FCU, PRCS, IDF website, Israeli MoFA
2. Incidents involving ambulances and medical teams
Denial of access: 2 incidents (an ambulance was transporting two children, one of them with cancer).
Delay (55-150 mins.): 3 incidents
Physical/Verbal abuse of Medical team: 1 incident
Shooting/Damage to Ambulance: 2 incidents
Curfews were reported in the following locations:
Sources: OCHA FCU, UNRWA
4. House demolitions/Demolition Orders
Sources: OCHA FCU, Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights, PCHR
5. Land levelling/confiscation1
• 14 April: The IDF entered the village of Qarawat Bani Zeid in Salfit district at approximately 9.30 in the morning and uprooted a large ancient oak tree. The IDF also disturbed some 40 Palestinian graves.
• The construction of the Barrier has been suspended in most areas in the Ramallah/Al Bireh governorate pending an Israeli High Court decision. Construction, however, continues in Beituniya.
• The IDF bulldozed a small plot of land in Kafr Ein, reportedly for the construction of a new military base.
• 13 and 15 April: The IDF levelled land and erected a 2 metre-high razor wire fence in the area of Ash Shrafa near Husan village, along the northern side of the 375-bypass road, Bethlehem District.
• 14 April: Settlers re-established an outpost Ghiborim by placing a caravan in the area near Kiryat Arba settlement, Hebron District.
• 08 April: The IDF levelled 5 dunums of land in Wadi Al Ghorouz between Kiryat Arba and Kharsina Settlements, Hebron District.
• 15 April: 2 IDF bulldozers supported by a tank uprooted 1.5 dunums of olive trees in Deir Al Balah next to Kfar Darom settlement.
• 16 April: An IDF bulldozer entered the area of Al Qarara and levelled 16 dunums of agricultural land.
• 16 April: 2 IDF bulldozers uprooted 8 dunums of olive trees and tomatoes in Deir Al Balah next to Kfar Doom settlement.
• 18 April: IDF bulldozers levelled 3 dunums of olive and pine trees near Kissufim passage in Deir Al Balah.
• 19 April: IDF bulldozers levelled 6 dunums of wheat in Beir Hanoum.
Sources: OCHA FCU
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1 4 dunums = 1 acre
6. Checkpoints/roadblocks/Separation Barrier/Restrictions on movement
Tulkarm/Qalqiliya governorates:
• The status of high alert announced at the beginning of the Jewish Passover holiday will continue until the end of the Israeli independence Day on 26 April. Following the killing of Hamas leader Abdul Aziz Rantisi, flying checkpoints were established in numerous places affecting the movement of Palestinian towns and villages. The IDF has been present in Tulkarm town most of the week with flying checkpoints established at the main entrances. The presence lasted until 18 April, when a complete withdrawal took place.
• The two villages of Ramin and Shufa are still under closure. However, for the village of Shufa, the Palestinian DCL negotiated permission for six taxis to transport the local residents in and out of the village.
• The DCO office is still open for the issuance of magnetic cards.
• Construction of the tunnel between Habla and Qalqilya town is ongoing.
• Opening statistics of Barrier gates are listed below in the table. There were frequent delays in the opening of the agricultural gates.
• Only severe medical cases were granted permission to Israel for urgent treatment through co-ordination with the Palestinian DCL.
Nablus/Jenin/Tubas governorates:
• Long delays witnessed at checkpoint around Nablus mainly with students and young people.
• 18 April: Flying checkpoints were erected along the northern part of the Jordan Valley in Tubas Governorate.
• 19 April: Flying checkpoints were erected near the villages of Ajja, Sanur, 'Araba, Jaba'a and 'Anza in Jenin governorate.
• 19-20 April: The majority of checkpoints in Nablus governorate were closed for all Palestinians excerpt for humanitarian needs.
Ramallah/al-Bireh/Beituniya governorates:
• 18 April: Atara bridge was closed for Palestinians; only media and humanitarian staff were permitted to use the road.
Jerusalem/Jericho governorates:
• The closure imposed on the West Bank and Gaza has prevented people from entering Jerusalem as well as Jericho. Numerous flying checkpoints in East Jerusalem were established.
• Construction of the Barrier is continuing in different sections from Khallet an Nu’man northwards near Har Hommah settlement, Ash Sheikh Sa’ad, Sur Baher, Sawahriya ash Sharqiya, Abu Dis and Al ‘Eizariya.
• The construction of the Barrier in Al ‘Eizariya east towards Mount of Olives near Beit Fagi monastery is moving rapidly and will close the remaining section of the passage from al ‘Eizariyah to the Mount of Olives.
• The construction of the Barrier opposite Al Quds University is moving rapidly.
• The construction of the Barrier ongoing opposite az Za'yem Checkpoint with land levelling east of the valley towards Ma’ale Adumim settlement.
• Land levelling for the construction of the Barrier in the north western villages of Beit Surik, Biddu Beit Duqqu and Bet Ijza has continued during the week.
• The stretch of concrete slabs in the middle of the road between Dahiet al Barid and Qalandiya checkpoint is now 800m long.
Bethlehem/Hebron governorates:
• 15 April: Palestinians below the age of 45 were prevented from crossing at Gilo checkpoint to attend Friday prayers at Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.
• 15 April: The only access road to the village of An Nu'man, Bethlehem District, was reopened for 3 hours and then closed again by the contractor working on the new bypass road. An Nu'man village remained closed until 18 April after which the road was reopened.
• 18 April: The IDF closed the gates on Halhous Bridge, Hebron District preventing movement of Palestinians between the urban area of Hebron and Halhoul.
• 18 April: The IDF closed the gates at the Sa'ir – Halhoul junction preventing movement of Palestinians across bypass road 60. On 19 April, the gates were reopened on the Sa'ir side.
• 18 April: The IDF closed the gate at the entrance of Dura and put an earth mound at the entrance of Al Fawwar Camp, Hebron district. Movement of Palestinians to and from Yatta is restricted.
• 18 April: The IDF closed Ras Al Jura CP and opened it on 19 April.
• The number of valid permits for the Hebron national bus company is 34, of which 26 for public transport between Hebron and Bethlehem and 8 for movement between Hebron and Jericho. At Gush Etzion checkpoint random checks took place. On 18 and 19 buses could not move in and out of Hebron because IDF closed the gates on Halhoul Bridge and Sa'ir Halhoul junction. No buses headed to Jericho this week since the "Container" checkpoint has remained closed since 22nd of March.
The enclosed areas in Gaza:
As-Seafa: Movement remains restricted by the IDF with the entry-exit gate opening twice daily for As-Seafa ID holders from 06:30 to 08:30 and 14.00 to 16.30. Motor vehicles are not allowed to enter since November 2000, with the exception of international agencies that have undertaken prior coordination with the IDF. Since 28 January 2004, IDF started to allow women to get in and out of As-Seafa but movement is subject to body search and with 24 hours prior coordination.
Since 17 April 2004, As-Seafa gate completely closed, with no movement allowed.
Al-Mawassi: IDF imposed restrictions remain, with the entry-exit gate at Tuffah checkpoint opening twice daily for Al Mawassi ID holders from 07.00 to 09.00 and 14.30 to 17.00.
No passage is possible for male Al Mawassi ID holders aged 15-23 without prior coordination. Youths aged below 15 must be accompanied by a guardian. Motor vehicles are not allowed to enter, with the exception of international agencies that have undertaken prior coordination with the IDF.
• 14 April: Tel Es-Sultan checkpoint was closed but Toufah checkpoint was open for Al Mawassi residents. Male Palestinians aged 18 – 40 could only return with prior coordination with the IDF.
• 15 April: Tel Es-Sultan checkpoint was closed but Toufah checkpoint was open for Al Mawassi residents. Male Palestinians aged 18 – 40 could only return with prior coordination with the IDF.
• Since 18 April: both Tal as-Sultan and At-Toufah check points were completely closed.
Kfar Darom. The Palestinian area adjacent to Kfar Darom settlement was declared a Closed Military Zone following a suicide attack on 27 February 2004. Since 20/7/2003 no vehicular movement was allowed as the IDF erected a fence around the area. Movement restricted by the IDF with the entry-exit gate opening four times daily for Al Ma'ni ID holders from 06:30 to 07:30, 10:30 to 11:30, 13:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 17:00. Sources: OCHA FCU, UNSCO, UNRWA
• Tulkarm/Qalqiliya:
– According to UNICEF there have been no major incidents or delays for teachers and children in reaching their schools over the past week. On 18 April, most schools in all three districts suspended their classes due to the mourning announced following the killing of Hamas leader Abdul Aziz Rantisi. All schools have been reported open again from 20 April. On 15 April, UNRWA reported on severe difficulties for the children in reaching their schools during the curfew of Tulkarm refugee camp.
• Nablus:
– 18 April: IDF fired at Yabad secondary school. No casualties reported.
– 19 April: IDF entered Silat ad Daher girls' secondary school and Silat ad Daher boys' secondary and forced students and teachers to leave due to curfew.
• Jerusalem:
– Access for students and staff to schools/universities have been greatly restricted due to the strict closure imposed 22 March. This has been especially noticeable for students/staff coming from the south of the West Bank trying to reach Al Quds University in Abu Dis and for non-residential teachers in Jericho.
Sources: OCHA FCU, UNRWA, UNICEF
8. Labour movement to Israel
• Tulkarm/Qalqilya: All work and trade permits have been suspended since 22 March until further notice.
• Nablus/Jenin/Tubas: No work and trade permits were issued due to the closure announced till 26 April.
• Jerusalem: Labour movement was denied throughout the week.
– 11,429 workers holding valid work permits were not allowed to cross the Green Line due to the imposed closure. Since 22 March 2004, Erez checkpoint has been closed for Palestinian workers but partially reopened for some tens of Palestinian traders aged 28 and above, on 28 March 2004 and re-closed on 18 April 2004.
306 workers crossed into the Erez Industrial zone on 14 April, 7% of a total of 5,014 workers who hold valid work permits.
Sources: OCHA FCU, UNSCO
• 14 April: The IDF dismantled 5 caravans near Ma'on settlement, Hebron District.
• 14 April: The IDF dismantled the Hazon David outpost between Kiryat Arba and Hebron city for the ninth time.
• 14 April: Settlers re-established an outpost Ghiborim by placing a caravan in the area near Kiryat Arba settlement, Hebron District.
Appendix: Checkpoints Status 07 – 13 April 2004
