OPT: Protection of civilians – OCHA Weekly report (14-20 May 2008)

OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS

P.O. Box 38712, East Jerusalem, Phone: (+972) 2-582 9962 / 582 5853, Fax: (+972) 2-582 5841 ochaopt@un.org, www.ochaopt.org

Protection of Civilians Weekly Report

14 – 20 May 2008

Of note this week

Gaza Strip:

· The IDF killed eleven Palestinians, including two children and an unarmed civilian, and injured 20 others, including at least three children. One IDF soldier was injured in clashes with Palestinian militants in Khan Younis.

· One Palestinian was killed and two injured in family disputes and ten others were injured in inter-factional violence.

· Five demonstrations and two sit-ins were held throughout the Gaza Strip to commemorate the 60th anniversary of what Palestinians refer to as Al Nakba.

· The IDF carried out six leveling and excavation operations this week. During the operation, at least 108 dunums of agricultural land and three chicken farms with more than 70,000 chickens were destroyed.

· A total of 34 rockets and 22 mortars were fired at Israel, a decrease of 19% and 29%, respectively, compared to last week. According to various Israeli media reports, one of the attacks resulted in the injury at least 16 Israelis when a rocket struck a shopping center in the city of Ashkelon in southern Israel. In addition, 17 mortars were fired at IDF soldiers conducting ground operations in Gaza, compared to nine mortars fired last week.

West Bank:

· The IDF killed a 15-year-old Palestinian boy at Huwwara checkpoint and injured four others in Nablus, Ramalah and Hebron governorates. In addition, Israeli settlers injured three Palestinians in Hebron governorate.

· On 14 and 15 May, Palestinians organised demonstrations in a number of West Bank cities and refugee camps to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Nakba. Protesters carried both UN and black flags and demanded that UN resolutions be implemented.

· The closure imposed on the West Bank on 6 May continued until 17 May during which Israel’s Independence Day, Al Nakba Day and President Bush’s visit to Israel took place. The IDF denied all Palestinians holding valid permits entry to Israel and East Jerusalem, except those working with international organisations and emergency medical cases. During the 12-day closure period, the daily average of reported flying checkpoints was 12, compared to an average of nine reported in the week preceding the closure.

· Between 16 and 20 May, Israeli settlers leveled and opened several dirt roads in land west of Revava settlement in Salfit governorate. The land is about 200 dunums and belongs to Palestinian farmers from Deir Istiya.

· A total of 95 IDF search operations and 79 arrests/detentions of Palestinians were reported this week, an increase of 11% and 44%, respectively, compared to last week.

Full report: