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
13 – 19 July 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:
1. Physical Protection1
Casualty Incidents Include:
• 13 July: An IDF unit entered the western part of Nablus city, surrounded and entered one building in search of a wanted Palestinian. The Palestinian tried to flee and was shot dead by the IDF.
• 13 July: At 3am, the IDF launched a military operation in Tulkarm city and refugee camps in a response to the suicide attack in Netanya on 12 July. One Palestinian PA security officer on duty at a checkpoint was killed by IDF fire.
• 13 July: A 16-year-old Palestinian girl was injured when settlers threw stones at her in the area adjacent to the Tel Rumeida settlement, Hebron/H2.
• 13 July: A Palestinian man was injured when settlers from the Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arba’ threw stones at his car in the Al-Jalajel area, Hebron/H2.
• 14 July: One Israeli woman was killed and another two Israelis were injured from Palestinian militant homemade rocket attacks on the southern Israeli town of Nativ Ha’asara north of Erez crossing.
• 14 July: Eleven Palestinians were injured during confrontations in Tulkarm while the IDF was conducting a military operation.
• 14 July: Twenty-three Palestinians, one Israeli and one international demonstrator were injured during a demonstration in Immatin village, Qalqiliya, against Barrier construction in the village.
• 15 July: A 14-year-old Palestinian boy was wounded when a homemade rocket that was fired by Palestinian militants from Beth Lahia toward Sderot settlement missed its target and landed in the Palestinian area.
• 15 July: Around eight Palestinians and two international activists were injured by rubbercoated metal bullets and tear gas canisters during a demonstration against Barrier construction in Bil’in, Ramallah.
• 15 July: An Israel Air Force (IAF) helicopter fired a number of missiles at a vehicle near Salfit city. Three Palestinians were killed. One Palestinian was severely injured and later died the following day.
• 15 July: The IDF entered Salfit city and imposed a curfew, clashes between the IDF and Palestinians occurred. One Palestinian boy, aged 16 years, was killed.
• 15 July: Two Palestinians were injured during confrontations in Tulkarm while the IDF was conducting a military operation.
• 15 July: Four Palestinians were killed in an IAF air strike attack on their vehicle in Tel Al Hawwa quarter of Gaza city. Five Palestinians, who were in the area, were reported injured.
• 15 July: Three Palestinians suffered shrapnel wounds when they were targetted by an IAF air missile attack in Khan Younis as they were attempting to launch mortars toward Israeli settlements in Gush Katif, the Gaza Strip.
• 15 July: Two Israeli women were wounded when Palestinian militants fired two mortars at Atzmona settlement, the Gaza Strip.
• 16 July: Two Palestinians were reported injured when missiles from IAF helicopters hit two targets in Gaza city.
• 16 July: Seven Israeli settlers were wounded in a Palestinian mortar attack aimed at the settlement of Nissanit, the Gaza Strip.
• 16 July: One Palestinian was injured when an IAF helicopter fired two missiles at a metal workshop on Salah Ed-Din road in Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip.
• 16 July: Four Palestinians were shot and wounded when IDF soldiers manning Abu Houli checkpoint, the Gaza Strip, fired in the direction of Palestinians who were trying to cross the closed checkpoint.
• 17 July: One Palestinian was killed after being shot by an IDF sniper stationed in a watch tower in the Israeli settlement of Gani Tal.
• 17 July: One Palestinian was injured in Tulkarm city during clashes between the IDF and Palestinians who were throwing stones.
• 17 July: Two Israeli settlers were seriously wounded when Palestinian militants fired two mortars at Neveh Dekalim settlement, the Gaza Strip.
• 17 July: One Palestinian was injured when an IAF aircraft fired two missiles at a Palestinian vehicle in Beit Lahia, the Gaza Strip.
• 17 July: A 14-year-old Palestinian boy was shot and injured in Khan Younis when the IDF opened fire from the nearby settlement of Neveh Dekalim, the Gaza Strip.
• 17 July: Two Israeli children were injured in a Palestinian militant mortar attack against Neveh Dekalim settlement, the Gaza Strip. Another IDF sapper was wounded while defusing a non-exploded mortar shell.
• 18 July: A foreign worker was injured by shrapnel from a mortar fired by Palestinian militants from Khan Younis toward the direction of Gush Katif, the Gaza Strip.
• 18 July: Two Palestinians were injured when the IDF opened fire form Gani Tal settlement in the direction of Al Amal quarter, the Gaza Strip.
• 18 July: One 14-year-old Palestinian boy was killed when the IDF opened fire in the direction of people waiting at the closed Abu Holi checkpoint, the Gaza Strip.
• 18 July: An Israeli woman suffered shrapnel wounds in a Palestinian militant mortar attack against Atzmona settlement in Rafah, the Gaza Strip.
• 18 July: Two foreign workers in the settlement were injured during a Palestinian militant mortar attack against Gadid settlement in Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip.
• 19 July: The IDF entered Al Yamun village, Jenin, and surrounded one building. An exchange of fire took place between Palestinian militants and the IDF resulting in the death of two Palestinians.
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1 One Palestinian was wounded by Palestinian militant activity.
2. Shelter and Property
Selected incidents:
• 13 July: Ten structures including six animal pens and four tents were demolished in Arab ar Rashayida, Bethlehem Governorate. Ten Palestinian families (45 people) were using these structures as seasonal shelter for their animals. The structures received demolition orders for being built illegally without permits in a nature reserve.
• 14 to 17 July: During this time, the IDF occupied a total of 16 Palestinian houses for several hours in Tulkarm city and used them as observation posts. The residences of the houses were held inside the buildings.
• 15 July: One building was destroyed when an IAF helicopter fired two missiles at the direction of an alleged pro-Hamas Islamic charity building in Gaza city
• 15 July: One metal workshop in Deir El Balah was destroyed after being struck by a rocket fired from an IAF helicopter.
• 16 July: Two metal workshops were destroyed in Gaza city after being hit by missiles fired from an IAF helicopters.
• 16 July: One workshop in Gaza city was damaged to an extent where it was no longer usable after being hit by two missiles fired by an IAF helicopter.
• 19 July: The IDF demolished a two-storey building in Al Yamun, Jenin. The first floor consisted of a chicken farm with approximately 1,000 chickens, which were not removed before the demolition.
3. Natural Resources
Land levelling/Requisitions/Tree Uprooting2
Nablus, Jenin and Tubas Governorates:
• No incidents to report.
Tulkarm Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Qalqiliya Governorate:
• 13 July: The Palestinian DCL received an IDF land requisition order (T/120/05) for 1.2 dunums (0.12 hectares) in ‘Izbat Jal’ud and ‘Izbat Salman villages, Qalqiliya, for construction of a bypass road.
• Ongoing incidents:
Salfit Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Hebron Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Bethlehem Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Jerusalem Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Jericho Governorate:
• No incidents to report.
The Gaza Strip:
• No incidents to report.
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2 4 dunums = 1 acre; 10 dunums = 1 hectare
4. Access for Medical Assistance
West Bank:
Selected Incidents:
West Bank:
• 13 July: According to the PRCS, a PRCS ambulance was stopped at Huwwara checkpoint while en route from transporting a delivery case from Aljit village to Rafidya hospital in Nablus. A soldier ordered the team out of the vehicle and the ambulance was then searched. An Israeli Army M16 weapon was found inside the vehicle. The soldiers questioned the crew about the source of the weapon, and the crew denied any knowledge about the weapon and refused the soldiers’ order to remove it. The soldiers then removed the weapon.
• 15 July: The IDF entered the governmental hospital in Salfit and searched the hospital. One injured Palestinian was arrested.
• 16 July: The IDF entered the governmental hospital in Tulkarm and searched the hospital.
The Gaza Strip:
• 18 July: The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that its ambulance services were hampered by the internal and external closure that was imposed on the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of Palestinian patients have been prevented from accessing hospitals in the Gaza Strip or abroad.
5. Access and Movement for Civilians
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3 Number of permits will be updated as information becomes available. Numbers in table relates to permits being issued to Palestinians through the DCL system.
The Gaza Strip:
Due to the closure of Erez, no workers or traders were able to cross this week. As of 1 July, the total number of Gaza Strip workers permits was 6,825 including 2,709 with overnight stay; 843 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:
• 13 July: The IDF closed the road connecting Bizzariya village, Nablus, with Ramin village, Tulkarm, with an earth mound. The road was the only paved road to the village as the main entrance of the village has been closed by earth mounds for the last four years.
• 14 July: The IDF reinstituted the Shave Shomeron checkpoint for several hours.
• 16 July: Major delays occurred at Hamra checkpoint.
• 16 to 18 July: The IDF prevented all male residents of Nablus between the ages of 25 to 45 years from leaving the city.
• 16 to 19 July: The IDF prevented all Palestinian residents of the northern West Bank from travelling south through Zaatara (Tappuah) checkpoint.
Jenin Governorate:
• 15 July: Since 15 July, the IDF has prohibited movement of Israelis into the area slated to be evacuated in the northern West Bank. The IDF has established checkpoint structures in the area that will function during the disengagement period.
Tubas Governorate:
• 16 July: Lengthy delays occurred at Tayasir checkpoint.
Tulkarm Governorate:
• 13 to 18 July: The IDF prevented all Palestinian vehicular movement through Kafriat checkpoint. Only pedestrian movement was permitted.
• 14 July: The IDF re-established Enav–‘Anabta gate on Road 57 near Enav junction closing the road between Tulkarm and Nablus governorates. All vehicular movement was stopped including public transportation. Only pedestrian movement was permitted.
• 13 July: The IDF changed the opening hours of Masha barrier gate, Salfit, from twice a day to once a week, Saturday.
• 17 July: The IDF closed a road near Iktaba neighbourhood in Tulkarem city with an earth mound.
• Ongoing incidents:
Qalqiliya Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
Salfit Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:
• 16 July: Lengthy delays were reported at the Atara Bridge partial checkpoint during the morning rush hour.
• 19 July: Delays were reported at An Nabi Salih gate partial checkpoint as the IDF searched cars and checked IDs during the morning rush hour.
• 13 to 19 July: The IDF increased their daytime and night-time patrols in many villages and towns and in Ramallah/Al Bireh cities.
Jerusalem Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
Jericho Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Hebron Governorate:
• 13 July: The Dura-Al Fawwar junction was reopened allowing vehicular transit across areas “A” (Hebron and Yatta). However, movement along Road 60, from the Road 317 intersection down to As Samu is not possible for Palestinian-plated vehicles and is heavily restricted for Israeli-Arabs with yellow plates. This measure is being enforced with three flying checkpoints established since the killing of Israeli settlers along the road.
Bethlehem Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
West Bank: Reported flying checkpoints
The Gaza Strip
• 19 July: At 1am, the IDF removed the internal closures in the Gaza Strip with the re-opening of Abu Houli checkpoint and the coastal road which had been closed since 14 July.
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 routinely 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, 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.
• 17 July: Al Tuffah checkpoint was closed at 11am until the next day.
• 19 July: Al Tuffah checkpoint was closed.
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 257 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.
• 13 July: Settlers from the outpost of Romano (also known as T’koa D), close to T’koa burned part of a structure used for sheep, belonging to a Palestinian from the village of Tuqu, Bethlehem Governorate. This attack follows a series of harassment episodes related to the enforcement of a security buffer zone around the outpost by the local security officer which to date has precluded access to one house, olive groves and agricultural land east of the village.
• 13 July: A group of Israeli settlers from Yits’har settlement threw stones at a Palestinian house in ‘Asira al Qibliya village, Nablus, and set fire to a parked vehicle near the house.
• 14 July: Around 50 beehives, owned by five families from Rantis, north Ramallah district, were destroyed with poison. It is not known who is responsible. The beehives were donated by the Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) as part of a joint programme with the PA Ministry of Agriculture to support Palestinian families.
• 15 July: Four IDF tanks and three bulldozers moved from Netzarim settlement toward the coastal road. The bulldozers dug 4 metre-deep holes in the road.
• 16 July: The IDF informed the Palestinian DCO that it was retaking security responsibility for the Tulkarm Governorate; all PA checkpoints should be dismantled and no presence of the Palestinian Police or security forces wearing uniforms and carrying weapons is permitted. The IDF had transferred authority for security to the PA
• 17 July: An IAF helicopter fired two missiles at an open area around Sheikh Zayed City in Beth Lahia, the Gaza Strip.
• 14, 15 and 19 July: Fighting between Hamas militants and PA security forces erupted in the northern parts of Gaza Strip on late 14 July when PA security men attempted to stop Hamas militants from firing rockets towards Israel. Fighting continued the following day in Gaza City in which two Palestinian civilians were killed and renewed fighting occurred in Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza on 19 July. In total it was reported that two Palestinian civilians were killed and approximated 57 were reported injured, including eight civilians (These figures have not been included in the totals in section 1).
Document Sources: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Subject: Economic issues, Incidents, Palestine question, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem
Publication Date: 19/07/2005