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
3 – 9 August 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:
• Three UN aid workers were kidnapped in Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip, by a group of armed gunmen. They were released after 90 minutes and following clashes between the armed kidnappers and PA security forces. The ICRC has also announced that it has suspended its operations in the Gaza Strip after their Khan Younis office was shot at (see section 6).
• Two confiscations orders were issued in the Bethlehem Governorate for a total of 230 dunums (23 hectares) of agricultural land (see section 3).
1. Physical Protection1
Casualty Incidents Include:
• 3 August: The IDF entered Shuweika village, Tulkarm, and clashes started. The IDF fired live rounds; two Palestinians were injured.
• 4 August: One Palestinian died of wounds he suffered on 3 August when a homemade Qassam rocket fired by Palestinian militants hit a house in Beit Hanoun, the Gaza Strip.
• 5 August: The IDF fired tear gas canisters, rubber-coated metal bullets and shock grenades at persons demonstrating against Barrier construction in Bil’in. Two internationals, one Israeli activist and two Palestinians were injured. Another two Israelis were detained by the IDF.
• 6 August: A Palestinian was injured when IDF soldiers in the outpost near Morag settlement opened fire in the direction of the Palestinian area of Oryba in Rafah, the Gaza Strip.
• 6 August: The IDF entered Tulkarm camp, Tulkarm, after Palestinian militants opened fire and threw fire bombs at an IDF patrol. One Palestinian child was injured.
• 6 August: Two Palestinian workers from the village of Beit Ula, Hebron, were injured by IDF soldiers near the Israeli Kibbutz of Beit Jibrin. IDF soldiers opened fire at group of workers who were trying to cross into Israel and injured one of them seriously.
• 7 August: One Palestinian was killed when the IDF opened fire in the direction of Block O area in Rafah, the Gaza Strip.
• 7 August: The IDF shot dead a 17-year-old Palestinian boy and injured five in Nur Shams camp, Tulkarm, after a firebomb was thrown toward one of the IDF patrols.
• 7 August: A 10-year-old Israeli boy was severely injured and an Israeli settler was wounded when Palestinian militants opened fire on their vehicle in a drive-by shooting near the junction between bypass roads 60 and 465, north Ramallah area.
• 8 August: IDF soldiers in the outpost located at the Rafah Terminal fired machine gun fire at the Palestinian Al Shouka area, the Gaza Strip. One Palestinian suffered shrapnel wounds in the leg.
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1 One Palestinian was killed due to a Palestinian militant attack; one Israeli injury was a result of IDF fire.
2. Shelter and Property
• No house demolitions were reported this week.
Other incidents:
• 3 August: For 24 hours, the IDF occupied three inhabited houses (total 24 persons) in the old city of Hebron and used them as observation posts.
• 5 August: For 72 hours, the IDF occupied a house on the main road between Dura and Hebron. The movement of the inhabitants (eight people) was heavily restricted.
• 5 August: The IDF occupied a house in the Palestinian village of Khirbit Salama, Hebron. The inhabitants (eight people) had to stay in one room for 48 hours.
• 6 August: Shepherds from the Palestinian village of Susiya were denied access to their land which is adjacent to the Israeli settlement of Susya.
• 9 August: The IDF occupied a Palestinian home in the village of Dura, Hebron. The ICRC negotiated the evacuation of the four women and diabetic patients in need of care. The occupation is ongoing.
3. Natural Resources
Land levelling/Requisitions/Tree Uprooting2
Nablus Governorate:
• No incidents reported.
Jenin and Tubas Governorates:
• No incidents to report.
Tulkarm Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Qalqiliya Governorate:
• 3 to 5 August: The IDF uprooted about 400 olive trees and started to level land between ‘Azzun and Kafr Thulth for the construction of the Barrier.
• Ongoing incidents:
Salfit Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
• Ongoing incidents:
Hebron Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Bethlehem Governorate:
• 3 August: The IDF issued confiscation order T/132/05 for 68 dunums (6.8 hectares) of agricultural land belonging to Palestinian farmers from the village of Al Ja’ba. The land requisition relates to the southern section of the Barrier, which will be built around the settlements in the western side of the governorate.
• 4 August: The IDF issued confiscation order T/137/05 for 162 dunums (16.2 hectares) of agricultural land belonging to Palestinian farmers from the village of Artas. The confiscated land will be used to construct the proposed Barrier around the eastern side of Etzion settlement block.
• 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:
The Gaza Strip:
• Male Palestinians aged from 16 to 35 years are prevented from leaving the Gaza Strip, including those who have medical referrals.
• A MoH ambulance transporting a 16-year-old female patient with kidney failure from Al Mawassi to Naser hospital in Khan Younis was delayed for three hours at Tuffah checkpoint.
• 3 August: The IDF at Erez denied access to a MoH ambulance transporting five cancer patients.
5. Access and Movement for Civilians
a) Curfew
• 6 August: The IDF imposed a curfew for six hours on the village of ‘Ein el Beida and conducted a search campaign.
• 7 August: The IDF imposed curfew for thee hours on ‘Azzun and ‘Isla villages and conducted a search campaign after Palestinians fired at Israeli vehicles passing on Road 55.
• 7 August: The IDF imposed curfew for five hours on Haris village and conducted a search campaign after Palestinians threw firebombs at Israeli vehicles passing on Road 505.
b) Access to Education
• No incidents to report.
c) Access to Employment3
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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:
As of 1 July (figures for August are not yet available), 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.
d) Closures/Movement restrictions
On 12 June, following the suicide bombing in Netanya, a general closure on the oPt was imposed by the IDF. The closure is still imposed on the West Bank but has been lifted for Gaza Strip workers and traders to Israel (see above).
Nablus Governorate:
• 3 to 9 August: (Ongoing) The IDF has permanently manned Shave Shomeron checkpoint and delays were experienced during the week.
• 3 to 9 August: (Ongoing) The prohibition is still in effect for residents of Jenin, Tulkarm and Qalqiliya to travel south through Za’atara (Tappouah) checkpoint.
Jenin Governorate:
• 9 August: The IDF announced the area around Ganim and Kaddim settlements a military zone. Only Israeli settlers (residents) can access the area.
Tubas Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
Tulkarm Governorate:
• 8 August: The IDF closed Kafriat checkpoint for several hours.
• 9 August: The IDF opened At Tayba checkpoint for traders with permits only.
• Ongoing incidents:
Qalqiliya and Salfit Governorates:
• No major incidents to report.
Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:
• 4 August: The IDF opened the gate at the eastern entrance to Al Mughayyir at the junction with bypass Road 458. The gate had been closed for the pass two months.
• 3 to 9 August: The IDF regularly patrols neighbourhoods in Ramallah, Al Bireh and Beituniya.
Jerusalem Governorate:
• 1 August: (Not reported previously). The IDF deployed a new checkpoint operating 24 hours at the northern entrance of ‘Anata on Road 437. Only residents of ‘Anata are allowed to pass.
Jericho Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Hebron Governorate:
• 3 August: The IDF set up six iron gates around the old market area of the Old City of Hebron. Five of the gates are open while one is kept shut. This new measure restricts the movement of carts and tractors bringing goods to this area.
Bethlehem Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
West Bank: Reported flying checkpoints
The Gaza Strip:
• Since 23 July and ongoing: Due to the restricted opening hours at Abu Holi junction, there is heavy traffic congestion.
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.
• Nine Palestinian female residents routinely have to apply for entry/exit coordination at least three days before they are granted passes for travel.
• 7 August: The gate was opened one time only in the afternoon time.
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.
• 5 August: (Ongoing) Al Tuffah checkpoint was closed in both directions for all Palestinians.
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 14 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.
• 8 August: Three UN aid workers were kidnapped in Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip, by a group of armed gunmen. They were released after 90 minutes and following clashes between the armed kidnappers and PA security forces.
• 8 August: ICRC announced that it has suspended its operations in the Gaza Strip after their Khan Younis office was shot at.
Searches/Arrests/Detentions
Document Sources: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Subject: Economic issues, Incidents, Palestine question, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem
Publication Date: 09/08/2005