OCHA Weekly Briefing Notes - OPT (29 Sept. - 5 Oct. 2004) - OCHA report

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

OCHA Weekly Briefing Notes

Update for oPt (29 September – 5 October 2004)

INSIDEINSIDE: Casualties — Incidents involving ambulances — Curfew — House demolition/Demolition orders/People displaced — Land levelling/Requisitions — Closures/restrictions on movement — Access to schools — Labour movement to Israel — Other — Appendix

1. Casualties

Palestinians:

Deaths: 95

Injured: 364 (approximately)

Israelis:

Deaths: 4

Injured: 7 (approximately)

Internationals:

Injured: 4

Sources: OCHA FCU, PRCS, UNRWA, IDF website, Israeli MoFA

2. Incidents involving ambulances and medical teams

West Bank

Denial of access: 1

Delay (30 minutes – 7 hours): 0

Shooting/Damage to ambulance: 0

Gaza:

Denial of access: 4

Delay (30 minutes – 7 hours): 7

Shooting/Damage to ambulance: 4

Male Palestinians aged 16 to 35, including patients and those with metal implants, are still not permitted to travel out of the Gaza Strip through the Rafah terminal. The Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) reported that a large number of patients with medical referral documents for necessary treatment abroad continue to be denied access.
29 September: A MoH ambulance transporting a pregnant woman in labour was delayed for four hours in Beit Hanoun despite prior coordination with the IDF.
29 September: A PRCS ambulance was confined in Jabalia refugee camp from 10pm 29 September till 4pm 1 October. The ambulance was able to leave the area after ICRC coordination.
30 September: A PRCS ambulance was subjected to direct IDF gunfire while on route to transport injured persons from Jabalyia refugee camp to hospitals. One PRCS medic sustained moderate injuries in the arm.
30 September: A PRCS ambulance came under IDF fire in Jabalia refugee camp. As a result, the ambulances' windshield was shattered.
2 October: A MoH ambulance transporting the dead body of a 12-year-old by from Gaza to his family's place in the south of Gaza was delayed for eight hours on beach road.
3 October: A Palestinian women gave birth at Al Tuffah checkpoint in Khan Younis when the PRCS ambulance transporting he to Naser hospital was denied access.
3 October: A MoH ambulance attempting to evacuate a wounded Palestinian man from Jabalia refugee camp was delayed for six hours by the IDF. The wounded was later found dead.
3 October: Two MoH ambulances trying to evacuate wounded people in Jabalia refugee camp were confined for four hours after being subjected to IDF warning shots.
4 October: A seriously injured Palestinian man bled to death when IDF tanks prevented the ambulance from reaching him in Jabalia refugee camp.
5 October: A PRCS ambulance attempting to evacuate a seriously wounded 13-year-old girl was denied access by the IDF. A MoH ambulance evacuated the girl after 35minutes. The girl was then dead.

Sources: OCHA FCU, PRCS, Palestinian MoH

3. Curfews

Curfew was reported in the following locations:

4. House demolitions/Demolition Orders/People Displaced

West Bank:

No incidents to report

Gaza:

Due to the Israeli military operation in the northern Gaza strip, a thorough assessment of house demolitions has not yet been conducted. Initially reports are as follows:

People made homeless: 58 families, 327 individuals

5. Land levelling/confiscation¹

West Bank:

Requisition orders have been issued for land belonging to Rantis village in Ramallah district, as part of new Barrier construction between the village and Deir Ballut in Salfit district. It is unclear how much land is involved.
30 September: The IDF uprooted some 60 olive trees on a side street in Schweika suburb in Tulkarm.
3 October: Israeli contractors guarded by the IDF started levelling land for the preparation of Barrier construction in Al Burj village, Hebron district.
4 October: Israeli contractors guarded by IDF started levelling land and uprooting olive trees for the preparation of construction of the Barrier in Surif village, Hebron district.

Gaza:

29 September: Ten dunums of agricultural land were levelled in the Palestinian area northwest of Netzarim in Gaza City.
30 September: Five dunums of olive trees were levelled in western Rafah.
1 October: Thirty dunums of olive and almond trees were levelled in the Palestinian area north of Sufa terminal in Khan Younis.
5 October: Fifty dunums of land, and two houses, were levelled in Khan Younis.

Sources: OCHA FCU, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, UNRWA, Village Council

____________

¹ 4 dunums = 1 acre

6. Closure²/Restrictions on movement

Tulkarm/Qalqiliya/Salfit governorates:

The IDF maintained, for a fourth week, the restricted movement on the local populations in Tulkarm governorates and Salfit district due to the Jewish holidays. However, the restriction became more relaxed over the week and fewer flying checkpoints were observed. In Qalqiliya governorate, the movement has been less restricted and people have been able to move freely within the governorate, including through the tunnel between Habla and Qalqiliya town.
The work on preparation for the Barrier in Ar Zawiya is still suspended following a decision from the Israeli High Court of Justice. In addition, preparation work around Ariel is suspended pending new court decision.
4 October: An earth mound was placed by the IDF on the dirt road between Shufa and Kafr al Labad in Tulkarm governorate.
On 2 August, OCHA reported that six permanent residents from Jbara village in Tulkarm governorate did not receive renewal of their green permits due to security reasons. On 5 October, the Palestinian DCL said that these six residents had been granted renewal of their green permits for another 12 months. In the interim period, these six residents had not been able to access their homes in Jbara.
The IDF DCL offices in both Tulkarm and Qalqiliya (Quedumin) were closed 28 September to 2 October in commemoration of the Jewish holidays. The DCL office in Qalqiliya, however, was open for a couple of hours on Wednesday, 29 September.
Barrier gates: The olive harvest has slowly started in some places, and consequently Palestinian and international organisations have started to carefully monitor access through the barrier gates. No incidents have been reported over the week. In Qaffin in the northern part of Tulkarm governorate, the IDF had informed local villages that three barrier gates, which have been declared "seasonal gates", would be open as of 1 October in conjunction with the harvest. The opening of these gates has, according to the Palestinian DCL, been postponed to 8 October. In Qaffin, only 156 out of more than 500 farmers who have applied for a green permit since the beginning of 2004 have been approved.

___________

²For a reference West Bank checkpoint map please see the following link: http://www.reliefweb.int/hic-opt/maps/Closure/mar/checkpoints march 04.pdf

Nablus/Jenin/Tubas governorates:

29 September: IDF prohibited Palestinian cars from using Road 90 near Bardala and Kardala villages for the third week in a row.
30 September: IDF shortened opening hours at all checkpoints aroaund Nablus from 6am to 8pm to 6am to 5.30pm starting 30 September 2004. According to IDF DCL, the measure was introduced to enhance security for the checkpoint soldiers.
30 September: IDF erected a flying checkpoint at the entrance of Sububa (Northwest of Jenin) prohibiting people from moving in or out of the village.
30 September: Since the start of the Jewish holidays, the IDF closed Tayasir checkpoint east of Tubas for all Palestinians (including permit holders). Palestinian teachers are an exception. The northern Jordan valley was announced a closed military area two months ago.
3 October: A flying checkpoint was erected on Road 60 near Al Lubban Ash Sharqiya. Dozens of Palestinian cars were held at checkpoint for several hours.
4 October: Villagers from Sarra and Tell villages, who were tring to reach their villages, were held at Tell earth mount (south of Nablus) by the IDF for several hours.

Ramallah/al-Bireh/Beituniya governorates:

2 October: At 12.30pm, the Israeli Border Police prevented residents of Ni'lin from passing through the Ni'lin checkpoint at the entrance to the village for several hours.

Jerusalem/Jericho governorates:

All Palestinian movement in and out of Jericho has been prohibited since the Israeli holiday of Yom Kippur. Only internationals can enter. Some easement occurred 3 to 5 October; a few Jericho residents with permits were allowed to exit the city.
IDF mobile checkpoints have been observed frequently at the entrance to Al 'Eizariya/Ma'ale Adumim settlement resulting in long lines of cars waiting to get through.
1 October: Only Palestinian Jerusalemites older than 40 years of age were allowed access to Al Aqsa.
3 and 4 October: IDF blocked the main roads around the Old City, Jerusalem, due to the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Checkpoints wee also in several place in East Jerusalem.

Jerusalem Envelope Barrier:

North: Construction of the Barrier is continuing along Road 60, the main road, between Qalandiya and Ar – Ram checkpoints. Land levelling for the Barrier is also taking place alongside the road between Hizma and Anata villages.
East: Construction of the Barrier is continuing in Ash Sheikh Sa’ad, Sawahriya ash Sharqiya, Abu Dis, and Al ‘Eizariya. Construction is nearly completed from Mt. of Olives to the hill just south of Al Quds University in Abu Dis. Barrier construction in Sur Bahir is still on halt.
Northwest: Construction of the Barrier is ongoing in Bet Duqqu, Qatanna and Kharayib Umm Al Lahim. In Biddu, Bet Ijza, Al Qubeiba and Bet Surik, construction is still on halt.

Hebron/Bethlehem governorates:

Restrictions on movement continued to be implemented in the Governorate of Hebron: Yatta remains closed to vehicular traffic. Family visits for prisoners originating from Hebron and Bethlehem have been suspended during the Jewish holiday season. No family visits have taken place from Hebron since the Be’er Sheva bombing on 31 August.
2 October: The IDF closed the gate at the main entrance of Beit Ummar, Hebron district; access for international humanitarian organisations is allowed.
3 October: Halhul Bridge, the main connection between Hebron city and Halhul was re-opened to pedestrian traffic.

The enclosed areas in the Gaza strip:

As Seafa: Since 22 April 2004, the IDF has allowed only three to four people with As-Seafa IDs to go in and out on foot, for one time only, with prior coordination, to bring food in. These people are permitted to exit and enter through the gate at two irregular periods: approximately 6.30am to 8.30am and from approximately 2pm to 4.30pm. No vehicles are permitted to enter or exit. Coordination for international organisations to enter the area has been extremely problematic.

– From 25 September to 4 October, the gate was completely closed. No one was permitted to pass including 24 students

– On 5 October, the gate was reopened and four people were allowed to exit.

Al-Mawassi: IDF restrictions remain, with the entry-exit gate at Al Tuffah checkpoint generally opening twice daily for limited numbers of Al Mawassi ID holders from approximately 8am to 1pm and from approximately 2.30pm to 5pm. Since 10 May 2004, males aged below 30 years who are Al Mawassi ID holders, have been required to have prior coordination to pass though Al Tuffah checkpoint. Since 6 June 2004, prior coordination has been required for unmarried females with Al Mawassi ID who are between the ages of 18 and 25. Vehicles are not allowed to pass, with some exceptions given for international agencies that have undertaken prior coordination with the IDF.

– Since 23 September to date, Al Tuffah checkpoint is completely closed.

– Tel As-Sultan checkpoint is completely closed.

Kfar Darom: The Palestinian area adjacent to Kfar Darom settlement was declared a closed military area following a suicide attack on 27 February 2004. Since 20 July 2002 no vehicular movement has been allowed in and out of the area and the IDF erected a fence around the area. Movement is restricted by the IDF with the entryexit gate generally opening 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 extremely problematic.

Source: OCHA FCUs and UNRWA

7. Access to schools:

West Bank:

Hundreds of school pupils from Abu Dis and Al ‘Eizariya, Jerusalem district, are experiencing difficulties in crossing the gate in the Barrier near Ras al ‘Amud to reach their schools in East Jerusalem each day. The gate is manned by Border Police and only Palestinians with valid permits or Jerusalem IDs are allowed to cross. Schools in several Palestinian Jerusalem neighbourhoods are becoming overcrowded because many students have been forced to change schools due to Barrier construction.
29 September: IDF entered the campus of the Arab American University in Jenin and searched the buildings. Two of the university guards were held for four hours. A number of doors were forced open and rounds were reported fired inside the university compound.
30 September: IDF manned the entrance of Zububa village, northwest of Jenin, prohibiting people from entering or going out of the village, including teachers from outside the village to reach the schools inside.
3 October: IDF entered Silat adh Dhahr vocational school, Jenin district. Teargas canisters were fired inside the school. Two teachers were held and forced to clean the street in front of the school of stones and burnt tires.

Gaza:

From 25 September to 4 October: All As Seafa students were not able to attend their schools as the IDF completely closed the gate.
3 October: A 14-year-old female student was injured in the foot and another five-year-old boy was wounded as a result of IDF fire towards the UNRWA Khan Younis Preparatory Girls School.
2 October: Thirteen windows and five doors were damaged at Al Omarya UNRWA Preparatory Boys School in Rafah as a result of IDF shooting.

8. Labour movement to Israel

All travel, work and trade permits are still suspended as a consequence of the Jewish holidays.

Sources: OCHA FCU, UNRWA, UNSCO

9. Other:

Nablus/Jenin/Tubas

26 September: Two Palestinians were injured in Camp number One, Nablus district, during clashes with IDF.
29 September: One Palestinian man was killed in Nablus by the IDF.
29 September: IDF opened fire at a taxi in the industrial zone in Jenin killing two Palestinian men and injuring a pregnant woman.
4 October: IDF occupied the Nasif house south of Nablus (Nablus al Jadida) turning it into an observation post. The same house has been occupied 27 times during the last four years
5 October: The IDF conducted an military operation in Qabatiya, Jenin, and curfew was imposed. One Palestinian was reported injured.

Tulkarm/Qalqiliya/Salfit

Military operations and search campaigns took place in Nur Shams refugee camp, Qalqiliya town, Jayyous, Azzun, Jit, Farkha, Qarawat Bani Hassan, Seida and Tulkarm town. In total, seven people were reported arrested.
4 October: In a hospital in Israel, a 70-year-old Palestinian woman died due to injuries. The woman was injured by a random bullet in her home while the IDF conducted a military operation in Haris, Salfit district, on 21 July.
5 October: Four Palestinians were injured during an IDF search and arrest operation in Nur Shams refugee camp, Tulkarm district.

Ramallah /Al Bireh

IDF search and arrest operations have taken place in Qalandiya refugee camp, Beit Rima, Silwad and Beit Liqya. Approximately 15 Palestinians were detained in these operations.
30 September: According to villagers, Israeli Border Police patrol entered around 15 houses in Budrus during the evening and beat a number of youths who had been participating in recent demonstrations against the Barrier.
30 September: At around 6pm, five masked armed youth walked around Ramallah town centre shooting in the air and demanding that shops and cafes close in protest at the killing of 28 Palestinians by Israeli missiles in Gaza. Most of the centre of Ramallah closed down for the rest of the evening, and the following day only grocery shops opened.
2 October: A very strict commercial strike was observed throughout the governorate, including in villages, in protest at the IDF operations and killing of civilians in Gaza.
3 October: A commercial strike was observed in Ramallah, Al Bireh and Beituniya in mourning for the Palestinians killed the previous evening.
3 October: In an exchange of fire between the IDF and three Palestinians, all in their 20s, two Palestinians were killed and the third, a “wanted man”, was seriously wounded. One Israeli officer was also killed. The exchange of fire continued, an additional three Palestinians were injured, one who was a “wanted man.” He was taken away by the IDF along with the “wanted man” in the first gunfire exchange.

Jerusalem

Search and arrest campaign have taken place in Ar Ram and ‘Issawiyya. Approximately, three Palestinians were detained.
4 October: Israelis attacked Palestinian property inside the Old City. No injuries were reported.

Hebron/Bethlehem

29 September: Masked men ambushed a group of Palestinian primary school students near the Jewish settlement of Ma’on, south Hebron. The attack, conducted with batons and chains, resulted in the injury of two schoolgirls and the hospitalisation of two US citizens with serious injuries. The two were accompanying the children to school on a road running from the Palestinian village of Tuba to that of At Tuwani.
1 and 4 October: Throughout the day Palestinians stoned IDF soldiers at the site of the construction of the Barrier near 'Ayda camp, Bethlehem district. The IDF responded with tear gas canisters and rubber coated metal bullets. No injuries were reported.
2 October: Palestinian children stoned IDF in Halhul, Hebron district, who responded with tear gas canisters and rubber coated metal bullets. Four Palestinians were injured.
2 October: A general commercial strike took place in Hebron city as a protest against the Israeli military operations in Gaza. In the afternoon, a demonstration took place and 10 Palestinians were injured
3 October: A demonstration held by residents and peace activists against the construction of the Barrier took place in Beit Awwa, Hebron district. Twenty-three Palestinians and two internationals were injured.
5 October: An armed Palestinian man, allegedly a Hamas militant, was shot dead by IDF in Kherbit al-‘Adisa.
5 October: Palestinians opened fire at an Israeli vehicle travelling on Road 60 close to Efrat settlement north of Hebron. One Israeli was slightly injured.

Gaza

29 September: Two IDF soldiers were wounded when their base was hit by mortar shell fire in Netzarim.
2 October: Two alleged Palestinian militants were killed and another four passers-by were wounded when an IAF helicopter opened fire on a car travelling on Salah Ed-Din road.

Sources: OCHA FCUs, UNRWA, UNSCO, Palestinian DCLs, Palestinian Governors’ offices, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, IDF

END

OCHA Weekly Briefing Notes – OPT (29 Sept. – 5 Oct. 2004) – OCHA report

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OCHA Weekly Briefing Notes – OPT (29 Sept. – 5 Oct. 2004) – OCHA report

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