OCHA Weekly Briefing Notes – OPT (23 Feb – 1 Mar 2005) – OCHA report

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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

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OCHA Weekly Briefing Notes

Update for oPt (23 February – 1 March 2005)

INSIDEINSIDE:   Physical Protection – Deaths and Injuries — Shelter and Property – People displaced/House demolition/Demolition orders — Natural Resources – Land levelling/Requisitions/Tree Uprooting — Facilitation of Humanitarian 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

1. Physical Protection

Deaths and Injuries

Palestinians: Deaths: 3 (includes the suicide bomber in Tel Aviv); Injured: 14 (approximate)

Israelis: Deaths: 5 (due to suicide attack in Tel Aviv on 25 February); Injured: 53 (approximate, of which 50  were injured from the suicide attack in Tel Aviv)

Internationals: Deaths: 0; Injured: 0

Selected incidents:

• 25 February: A suicide bombing in Tel Aviv killed 5 Israelis and injured 50.

• 25 February: One Palestinian was killed and another two were detained next to Sufa crossing (Gaza) when they were spotted approaching the border fence by IDF troops.

• 28 February: Two Israeli settlements’ security guards were injured in the settlement of Menora near Saffa village, Ramallah, when Palestinian militants fired at their security vehicle patrolling in the settlement

• 1 March: One Palestinian was moderately injured after he reportedly was beaten up by settlers from Male Shameron in Qalqiliya Governorate.

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

2. Shelter and Property

People displaced/House demolitions/Demolition orders

West Bank:

• 1 March: Ten commercial structures near Bardala an 'Ein el Beida were demolished by the IDF due to a lack of building permits.

• 1 March: Military orders were issued for the demolition of three private irrigation wells and one house in Wadi Fukin in Bethlehem Governorate. The Palestinian owners have until 31 March to appeal the orders.  These orders follow the 16 evacuation orders issued in the last reporting period.

The Gaza Strip:

•  No incidents reported.

3.  Natural Resources

Land levelling/Requisitions/Tree Uprooting¹

West Bank:

• 23 February: The Israeli High Court issued an interim order suspending construction of the Barrier in Bil’in and Saffa villages west of Ramallah Governorate.

• 23 February: The IDF issued a requisition order for construction of the Barrier north of Ariel in Salfit district covering 286.3 dunums (28.6 hectares).

• 25 February: Approximately 30 olive trees belonging to Palestinians were uprooted for the construction of the Barrier in Beit ‘Awwa, Hebron Governorate.

• 25 February: Israeli settlers from Kiryat Arba, east of the city of Hebron, have levelled approximately 15 dunums (1.5 hectares) of agricultural land. No military orders appear to have been issued by the IDF for the requisition of this land.

• 27 February: Settlers from Jel’ad outpost reportedly uprooted some 25 olive trees belonging to farmers from Jinsafut in Qalqiliya Governorate.

• 27 February: The IDF handed over three requisition orders for Barrier construction in Jaba, north Jerusalem, covering a total of 21.2 dunums (2.12 hectares). Some 1,000 dunums (100 hectares) will be on the Jerusalem side of the Barrier; Palestinians on the other side have no access to the land according to the head of local council in Jaba.

• 23 February to 1 March: Israeli bulldozers continued to level land for the construction of the Barrier west of Al Midya village, Ramallah district.

• 23 February to 1 March: Levelling of land near Kafriat checkpoint in Tulkarm continued throughout the week in preparation for a new tunnel under Road 57.

• 26 February to 1 March: Israeli land levelling and olive tree uprooting near the area of Masha and Deir Ballut in Salfit district were ongoing throughout the week.

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¹ 4 dunums = 1 acre; 10 dunums = 1 hectare

Jerusalem Barrier:

• Construction and land levelling is taking place a few metres east of Qalandia checkpoint to construct DCL offices, a parking lot and a road to connect Road 60 from the Qalandia area to Ar Ram.

• Land levelling and construction for the Barrier is taking place alongside the road between Hizma and Anata villages.

• Land levelling is occurring on the eastern side of Shufat refugee camp between Pisgat Zaeev and Shufat camp.

• Due to a decision handed down on Monday 14 February, the IDF started levelling the land west of Beit Surik on 28 February.

The Gaza Strip:

• No incidents reported.

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

4.  Facilitation of Humanitarian Assistance

Incidents involving safety and movement of ambulances and medical teams

West Bank:

Denial of access: 1

Delay (60 minutes): 1

Shooting/Damage to Ambulance: 0

• 26 February: A PRCS ambulance was not allowed to collect a young girl who was injured from IDF gun fire from the Old City in Hebron. The IDF informed the ambulance crew that they would transfer her to an Israeli hospital.

The Gaza Strip:

Denial of access: 1

Delay (more 30 minutes): 0

Shooting/Damage to Ambulance: 0

• 24 February to 1 March: The IDF has not granted permission for one PRCS ambulance to return to the Al Mawassi area after it was taken out of the area for maintenance. The situation is ongoing. Sources: OCHA FCU, WHO, PRCS, Palestinian MoH

5. Access and Movement for Civilians

A. Curfews

• 25 February: Deir al Ghusun in Tulkarm Governorate was placed under curfew for two hours between 4.30am and 6.30am following the suicide attack in Tel Aviv.

• 27 February: Mash’a in Salfit district was placed under curfew at 7.15 am for three hours.

Sources: OCHA FCU, Village Councils, UNRWA, Palestinian DCL

B. Access to Education

West Bank:

• 23 February: An Najah University students from 'Iraq Burin, Nablus, were held by the IDF for two hours at an earth mound connecting Nablus with Tell village.

• 28 February: Pupils returning from schools were forced to wait for almost one hour before they were allowed through the Barrier gate in Jbara.

• 26 February: Schools were closed in Deir al Ghusun because of imposed curfew.

The Gaza Strip:

• During the reporting period, the 24 pupils living in As-Seafa continued to reach their schools late because they were delayed at the As Seafa gate. Upon return, the pupils were delayed for four hours and were not allowed to enter the area before 3.30 p.m.

Sources: OCHA FCU, UNRWA, UNICEF, Palestinian DCL

C. Access to Employment

West Bank:

• Bethlehem: As of 1 March there are 1,472 active permits for workers and 1,081 for traders in Bethlehem Governorate (according to the Israeli DCL).

• Hebron: No figures were available from the Israeli DCL in Hebron.

• Nablus district: 700 permits were issued for traders.

• Jenin district: 290 trade permits were issued.

• Tubas district: 150 trade permits were issued.

The Gaza Strip:

• 27 February: Israeli authorities issued 1,126 permits for Palestinian workers and 423 permits for merchants aged 35 years and older.

D. Closure/Movement Restrictions

• Tulkarm Governorate: Following the suicide attack in Tel Aviv on 25 February, the IDF imposed additional movement restrictions in the governorate and flying checkpoints were reported on the main roads and between villages. In particular, restrictions were reported at the Barrier gate in Jbara. The movement restrictions were also imposed on Palestinians with Israeli IDs, who were denied access to Tulkarm. The observation tower near the entrance to Qaffin was put back in place approximately two weeks ago.

1 March: Mobile checkpoints were observed at Al Sha’rawiya, Tulkarm camp, Seida and Attil.

• Qalqiliya Governorate: Also in Qalqiliya, movement restrictions were imposed following the suicide attack in Tel Aviv, which also affected movement of Palestinians with Israeli IDs. However, the tunnel between Qalqiliya town and Habla remained open for Palestinians throughout the week. Mobile checkpoints were observed at Azzun, Jinsafut, Ar Zawiya, Al Funduq, Jit and Kfur Thulth during the week.

27 February: The IDF closed the agricultural gate in Jayyous preventing the farmers from accessing their land.

• Salfit District: Movement between the villages continued to be hampered by the existence of roadblocks and earth mounds and restrictions to travel on the main roads. Three roadblocks/earth mounds in particular near Kafr Dik, Qarawat Bani Hassan and Yasuf severely hamper movement. The entrance to Bruqin village remains open, after the roadblock was removed some three weeks ago.

• Nablus Governorate:

23 February: Two flying checkpoints were erected on Road 60 near Al Lubban ash Sharqiya and Yits’har junction.

24 February: Major delays occurred at Za'tara (Tapu'akh) checkpoint, Nablus. A flying checkpoint was erected near Sarra junction on Road 60.

26 February: Major delays occurred at Za'tara (Tapu'akh) checkpoint, Nablus, for several hours.

26 February: Major delays occurred at Hamra checkpoint, Nablus.

26 to 27 February: Major delays occurred at Shave Shomeron checkpoint, Nablus

27 February: Beit Iba checkpoint was closed for Palestinians trying to enter Nablus for two hours.

27 February: A flying checkpoint was erected on the road between ‘Asira ash Shamaliya and Ijnisinya villages, Nablus.

• Tubas Governorate:

23 to 24 February: Palestinian farmers continued to face delays when crossing Tayasir checkpoint when travelling to their lands in the Al Malih area.

24 February: A flying checkpoint was erected near Wadi al Far’a village, Tubas.

25 February: A flying checkpoint was erected at the entrance of Bardala village, Tubas, preventing the villagers from leaving the village for several hours.

• Jenin Governorate:

28 February: A flying checkpoint was erected at the main entrance of Arraba town, Jenin, preventing Palestinians from using the entrance.

1 March: Arraba junction, Jenin, was closed for all vehicles.

• Ramallah/Al Bireh Governorate

23 February: The IDF erected an observation tower to the east of Qalandiya checkpoint to prevent Palestinian movement through the quarries between Qalandiya and Jaba’.

23 February: The IDF closed Qalandiya checkpoint, for both vehicles and pedestrians, for several hours.

26 February: After the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, the IDF set up flying checkpoints near Qalandiya camp, Silwad, Ein Al Haramiya Valley and Khalamish settlement. The partial checkpoint at Atara Bridge was operating for a few hours. Delays were reported due to ID checking and car searches.

27 February: The partial checkpoint at An Nabi Salih gate was in operation during rush hour. Delays were experienced.

• Jericho Governorate:

Palestinians from the West Bank are not allowed to enter Jericho unless they are travelling to Jordan and can present valid travel documents.

• Jerusalem Barrier:

North: Construction of the Barrier is continuing along the main Road 60 between Qalandiya and Ar-Ram checkpoints and near Ar Ram Bir Nabalah junction. The IDF closed the main road at Ar Ram, the main entrance for Barrier construction.

East: The IDF has closed the area known as the Gate near Eizariyah Ras Elamood. Palestinians currently use the Monastery gate where Israeli Border Police are present to check for permits. Construction of the Barrier is continuing in Ash Sheikh Sa’ad, Sawahriya ash Sharqiya, Abu Dis and Al ‘Eizariya. Construction is nearly completed from Mount of Olives to the hill just south of Al Quds University in Abu Dis.Barrier construction in Sur Bahir is ongoing on the eastern and southern sides of the village. Hizmah Barrier construction (concrete slabs) started on 1 March near the main road and the road going to Anata.

• Bethlehem Governorate:

23 February: Access to agricultural areas south of Road 375 for Palestinian farmers in Husan was reestablished after a discussion with contractors working on the expansion of the entrance to the Israeli settlement of Betar Illit.

23 January to 1 March: Israeli contractors continued to erect the 8-metre tall concrete Barrier in the area south of Gilo checkpoint and Rachel’s Tomb. The concrete Barrier follows the path of a new security road designed to enable Jewish worshippers to reach the Tomb without travelling on the Hebron-Jerusalem road.

• Hebron Governorate:

The IDF has told local Palestinian shepherds that most of the area around At Tuwani in south Hebron is to be considered a military closed area, but has not clarified the borders of the area that cannot be trespassed. Restrictions are also imposed on some areas by the Israeli Police as a result of the attacks by settlers from the nearby Israeli outpost of Ha’vat Ma’on. In addition, there is evidence that settlers from the same outpost are moving freely in this area in an apparent violation of the new IDF directive. The combination of all three has resulted in reducing the land that is available to the Palestinian shepherds for their animals.

23 February to 1 March: Palestinian vehicular movement has increased along Road 60 until Ad Dhahiriya, and on Road 317 to the turn for the Bedouin areas of Um al Kher and Az Zuweidin, in the southern part of Hebron Governorate. At the same time, the IDF has been observed enhancing the physical barriers alongside Road 60 and Road 317 to prevent Palestinians from moving across them – particularly from Palestinian communities, such as At Tuwani south of the belt of Israeli settlements along Road 317.

24 February: The IDF removed earth mounds in the Al Jabari neighbourhood of H2, in Hebron, next to the Al Ras cemetery and replaced them with a gate. The change appears to have been implemented in order to facilitate the access to the area for 30 to 40 Palestinian families living on the edge of the Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arba. However, the gate has remained locked since the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.

24 February: The IDF closed the main entrance from Road 317 for Palestinians living in the south Hebron community of Saadet Tha’lah. This severely reduces the access to and from this community, which now will have to resort to a winding road in very poor condition running through a construction site on the edge of the Israeli settlement of Karmel.

• The Enclosed Areas in the Gaza Strip:

As-Seafa: On 13 February, the IDF started to allow 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 years are still required to have a 48 hour prior coordination. The gate still opens two times a day: 7:30am and 2:00pm. No vehicular movement is permitted. Coordination for international organisations to enter the area has been extremely problematic.

24 February: The gate was completely closed the whole day.

25 February: The IDF opened the gate for one hour only.

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. Women are now allowed in and out with no age restrictions. Vehicles are not allowed to pass, with some exceptions given for international agencies that have undertaken prior coordination with the IDF. On 4 February, the IDF reopened the checkpoint for all Palestinians except males aged between 16 and 35 years who need prior coordination.

Tel Es-Sultan checkpoint remained closed.

Al Maa’ni: 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 into and out of the area and the IDF erected a fence around the area. Movement is restricted by the IDF with the entry-exit 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

6. Additional Protection Issues

• 23 to 24 February: Seven members of a Palestinian family including three children and one sick elderly person from Yatta (Hebron Governorate) were confined to one room for two days when the IDF occupied their house.

• 26 February: Palestinian residents of the village of Qawawis in Hebron Governorate, in the area known as Masafer Yatta returned for the first time to their homes after being evicted by Israeli settlers in 2002. Israeli settlers, who had occupied their homes after evicting them, were removed by the IDF in the fall of 2004. It is not clear how many Palestinians have returned so far.

• 27 February: On the last day of his 14-month prison sentence, an 18-year-old Palestinian male from Duheisha refugee camp in Bethlehem was deported to the Gaza Strip by the IDF.

• Searches and Arrests

Nablus/Jenin/Tubas

23 February to 1 March: IDF search-and-arrest campaigns took place during the week in Nablus city, Kafr Qalil village (Nablus), Al Yamun village (Jenin), and Balata refugee camp (Nablus). Eleven Palestinians were reported arrested.

Tulkarm/Qalqiliya/Salfit

23 February to 1 March: Search-and-arrest campaigns were conducted in Baqa Ash Sharqiya, Deir al Ghusun, Attil, Illar, Ar Ras (Tulkarm) and in Qalqiliya town. A total of 11 Palestinians were reported arrested.

26 February: The IDF entered the village of Wadi ar Rasha in Qalqiliya Governorate during the night and conducted a head count of the residents.

Ramallah /Al Bireh

23 February to 1 March: Throughout the week, IDF search-and-arrest campaigns took place in Al Bireh, Qalandiya Camp and ‘Atara Bridge checkpoint. Five Palestinian males were arrested.

Jerusalem/Jericho

Nothing to report.

Hebron/Bethlehem

23 February to 1 March: Search campaigns took place in Idhna, Hebron and Duheisha. Four Palestinians were arrested.

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

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