OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS
P.O. Box 38712 East Jerusalem
Phone: (972) 2 – 5829962 / 5825853, Fax: (972) 2 – 5825841
ochaopt@un.org, www.ochaopt.org
Protection of Civilians – Weekly Briefing Notes
22 – 28 June 2005
Protection – Deaths and injuries . Shelter and Property – People displaced, House demolitions, Demolition orders . Natural Resources – Land levelling, Requisitions, Tree Uprooting . Restrictions on Medical Assistance – Incidents involving safety and movement of ambulances, medical teams, humanitarian organisations . Access and Movement for Civilians – Curfews, Access to education, Access to employment, Closures/Movement restrictions . Additional Protection Issues
Of note this week:
• Violence continued this week, with one Palestinian and two Israelis killed (see section 1).
• Several demonstrations against Barrier construction took place resulting in injuries, including injuries of internationals. A “closed military zone” was also reported in one area. (see section 1).
• During the week, a total of 20 homemade rockets, mortar shells and anti tanks missiles were fired from different locations inside the Gaza Strip toward Israeli settlements and nearby Israeli towns, IDF installations and Karni (see section 6).
1. Physical Protection1
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1 The Palestinian death was due to Palestinian fire.
Selected Incidents:
• 22 June: One Palestinian man was injured by IDF gunfire fired from the direction of the Israeli settlement Neveh Dekalim in Khan Younis.
• 23 June: Palestinian militants shot dead one Palestinian policeman in front of the police station in Jenin. Three days later, Palestinian security forces arrested 10 militants in Jenin city.
• 23 June: One Israeli boy was injured in a Palestinian mortar attack on the Israeli settlement of Netzarim.
• 23 June: Palestinian militants opened fire at an Israeli vehicle near Kifl Haris, Salfit. One Israeli was injured.
• The IDF declared Bil’in a “closed military area” following a demonstration against the construction of the Barrier on 24 June. Eight Palestinians and two internationals were injured by rubber bullets and tear gas; and 13 Israelis, two internationals and one Palestinian were arrested. Also this week, Palestinians, international and Israeli activists held demonstrations in Marda village, Salfit, against the construction of the Barrier. The IDF used tear gas canisters and rubber coated metal bullets to disperse the protesters. On 23 June, one Palestinian was injured. In addition, on 24 June, the IDF injured two international activists and two Palestinians during a Barrier protest in the village of Imneizil south of Hebron.
• 24 June: A 17-year-old settler was killed and another four settlers were injured when Palestinian gunmen opened fire at their vehicle on the entrance of Beit Khagai settlement from Road 60, Hebron Governorate. One of the injured died of his wounds on 26 June.
• 25 June: A 13-year-old Palestinian girl was seriously injured when Israeli settlers threw a explosive device at her home in Aum-Alharaik neighbourhood of Hebron City
• 26 June: A 30-year-old Palestinian man was injured when an Israeli settler attacked him in Al-Sahlah area of H2 Hebron city. The IDF arrested the settler and called for an Israeli ambulance to care for the wounded man.
• 26 June: A Palestinian man stabbed and injured an Israeli Police officer in Salah Edeen Street in East Jerusalem. The Palestinian was arrested.
• 26 June: One Palestinian minor was injured in ‘Azzun village, Qalqiliya, when the IDF fired live ammunition during a search campaign.
• 27 June: Palestinian militants fired four mortar shells at Gush Katif settlement, the Gaza Strip.
• 28 June: Israelis opposed to the disengagement clashed with the IDF inside al Mawassi, the Gaza Strip. Clashes broke out between Gush Katif settlers and Palestinian residents. An Israeli woman was injured.
• 28 June: The IDF stationed at the operation tower at Morag fired at Palestinian militants planting a roadside bomb near the settlement. An exchange of fire lasting 20 minutes resulted in one Palestinian injury.
2. Shelter and Property
• 22 June: The IDF declared Jiftlek village and Marj Najeh, Jericho, a military area and demolished houses. In total, 10 houses, one sheep shack and a field house were demolished.
• 26 June: Eight cabins were demolished by the IDF on the Al Mawassi Khan Younis beach side. A group of Israeli settlers erected more than 20 tents in the area.
• 26 June: A group of Israeli settlers broke into and occupied two abandoned Palestinian houses inside the Al Mawassi area of Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip.
• 26 June: A commercial shop belonging to a Palestinian family was burned down by Israeli settlers from Avraham Avinu outpost in H2 Hebron city
• 27 June: The IDF evacuated the water tower in Kafr Ni’ma, which they have been occupying for about two years.
• 27 June: Settlers from the Israeli settlement of Efrata occupied a non-inhabited Palestinian home near the southern entrance of Bethlehem city along Road 60. The settlers were later evicted by the IDF.
3. Natural Resources
Land levelling/Requisitions/Tree Uprooting2
Nablus and Tubas Governorates:
• No incidents to report.
Jenin Governorate:
• 22 June: The IDF confiscated and levelled 1 dunum (0.1 hectare) of land on Road 585 near Ya’bad for military use.
• 26 June: The IDF issued five temporary confiscation orders (valid from 26 June to 24 August 2005) for military use in several areas around the settlements slated for evacuation as part of the disengagement plan.
Tulkarm Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Qalqiliya Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Salfit Governorate:
• 24 June: Israeli settlers from Ari’el settlement put a wire fence around 18 dunums (1.8 hectares) of agricultural land planted with olive trees belonging to Palestinian farmers from Kifl Haris village.
• Ongoing incidents:
Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Hebron Governorate:
• 22 June: The IDF issued confiscation orders covering 39.5 dunums (3.95 hectares) of agricultural land belonging to farmers from the Palestinian town of Tarqumiya. The confiscated land will be used as a security buffer zone around the Israeli settlement of Adora.
• Ongoing incidents:
Bethlehem Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Jerusalem Governorate:
• 23 June: The IDF resumed levelling land north of Shu’fat refugee camp and ‘Anata between the camp and Psigat Ze’ev settlement for Barrier construction. Land levelling continued also northwest of Al Jib.
• Ongoing incidents:
Jericho Governorate:
• No incidents to report.
The Gaza Strip:
• 22 June: The IDF uprooted 5 dunums (5 hectares) of olive trees in the area of Gizan Al Najjar
north of Morag settlement in Khan Younis.
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2 4 dunums = 1 acre; 10 dunums = 1 hectare
4. Access for Medical Assistance
• 26 June: A group of Israeli settlers threw stones at the Ministry of Health (MoH) ambulance inside Al Mawassi. The right side window screen was smashed as a result.
• 26 June: A group of Israeli settlers occupied the roof of the MoH Al Mawassi clinic; the clinic has not been operational since.
5. Access and Movement for Civilians
• 22 June: The IDF evacuated Osama Ibn Al-Mounked School in H2 Hebron city. This school has been used as a military base since the beginning of the Intifada. The Israeli army has now relocated to the nearby base in Jabal Jouhar.
The Gaza Strip:
As of 27 June, the total number of Gaza Strip workers permits was 7,100 including 2,817 with overnight stay; 835 permits were issued to Erez Industrial Estate workers. All workers must be 35 or older and married with children. Overnight stay permits are only issued for workers aged 40 and older.
Nablus Governorate:
• Long queues and delays were experienced at Huwwara, Beit Iba and Zaatara checkpoints. Jenin and Tubas Governorates:
• No major incidents to report.
Tulkarm Governorate:
• 22 June: The IDF closed Kafriat checkpoint for one hour after a Palestinian female attempted to stab an IDF soldier.
• Ongoing incidents:
Qalqiliya Governorate:
• 23 June: The IDF closed ‘Azzun gate on the junction to Road 55 during a search campaign.
Salfit Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:
• 24 June: The IDF declared Bil’in village a “closed military area”.
• Throughout the reporting period, long delays were experienced at ‘Atara and An Nabi Salih partial checkpoints and daily IDF patrols of four to five jeeps in Al Bireh and Ramallah cities.
Jerusalem Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
Jericho Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Hebron Governorate:
• 25 June to ongoing: As result of the shooting incident which killed two Israeli settlers, a heavy closure was imposed on the Palestinian cities of Hebron, Yatta, Samu’, Dura and Al Fawwar refugee camp with all crossing point closed. Entrance to Hebron city is only possible through Ras Al Joura checkpoint, re-established for the time being. The PRCS is evacuating patients from the area of Yatta using a back-to-back system of transfer.
Bethlehem Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
The Enclosed Areas in the Gaza Strip:
As-Seafa:
• Since 13 February 2005, the IDF has permitted Palestinians aged 30 and older residing in As-Seafa to pass in and out without any prior coordination; males and females aged between 16 and 30 are still required to have 48-hours prior coordination. The gate is open two times daily (irregularly) at 7.30am and 2pm. No vehicles are permitted to enter or exit. Coordination for international organisations to enter the area has been problematic. The IDF requires prior coordination in order to bring goods into the area; people are still facing difficulties getting their belongings into and/or out of the area, despite approved coordination.
• During the week, two to three persons each day were prevented from entering the area despite having proper documentation.
• Since 30 May, the IDF has not allowed full cooking gas bottles or empty ones into the area.
• Nine Palestinian female residents have to apply for entry/exit coordination at least three days before they are granted passes for travel.
Al-Mawassi:
• IDF restrictions remain, with the entry-exit gate at Al Tuffah checkpoint generally open twice daily for limited numbers of Al Mawassi ID holders – from approximately 8am to 1pm, and 2.30pm to 5pm. Males aged 16 to 25 years who are Al Mawassi ID holders are required prior coordination to pass though Al Tuffah checkpoint. Vehicles are not allowed to pass, with some exceptions given for international agencies that have undertaken prior coordination with the IDF.
• Tel Es-Sultan checkpoint has remained closed since 14 January 2004.
• This week, people’s movement through the checkpoint was particularly slow; about 80 to 100 persons were allowed into Al Mawassi while about 100 persons were allowed out daily.
Al-Ma’ani:
• Since 20 July 2002, the IDF has prevented all vehicular movement in and out of the Palestinian area adjacent to the Kfar Darom settlement. The IDF has also erected a fence around the area. The area remains a closed military zone, following a suicide attack on 27 February 2004.
• Movement is restricted by the IDF with the entry-exit gate generally open four times daily for Al Maa’ni ID holders only from 6.30am to 7.30am, 10.30am to 11.30am, 1pm to 2pm, and 4pm to 5pm. Access for international organisations into the area remains problematic.
Abu Nahiya:
• A fence was placed around the Abu Nahiya area, south of Kfar Darom settlement, in the corner of Kissufim Road and Salah Eddin Street. Approximately 16 families reside in the area. No vehicles are allowed in or out of the area. The fence is open 24 hours for residents.
Abu al-Ajin Area:
• Several Palestinian families live isolated and fenced in north and south of Kissufim Road in the Abu al-Ajin area. The families have their own keys to the gate in the fence; however, their movement is restricted to opening hours three to four times daily. The area is unreachable by
vehicles.
6. Additional Protection Issues
• During the week, a total of 20 homemade rockets, mortar shells and anti tanks missiles were fired from different locations inside the Gaza Strip toward Israeli settlements and nearby Israeli towns, IDF installations and Karni.
• 22 June: An IAF aircraft fired two air-to-ground missiles at the Palestinian area northwest of Beit Lahia junction, the Gaza Strip, toward a group of Palestinian militants attempting to launch mortars.
• 22 June: One Palestinian prisoner from Tammun, Tubas, died in Shatta prison reportedly due to lack of medical treatment (this death has not been included in the weekly total but will be added if information warrants).
• 23 June: Four Palestinians were injured in clashes with Palestinian militants intending to fire homemade rockets from the vicinity of their houses in the Zurub area in Rafah, the Gaza Strip (These injuries have not been included in the total).
• 24 June: A group of Israeli settlers from Kdumim settlement, Qalqiliya, threw stones at Palestinian vehicles and broke the windshield of a vehicle.
Document Sources: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Subject: Economic issues, Incidents, Palestine question, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem
Publication Date: 28/06/2005