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
6 – 12 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 Protection
• 6 July: An 8-year-old Palestinian boy was shot and injured when the IDF opened fire toward the Gizan Najjar area north of Morag settlement in Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip.
• 6 July: A Palestinian militant was killed and one was badly wounded in an attack against Morag settlement in Khan Younis.
• 6 July: A group of Israeli settlers, escorted by the IDF, entered Joseph Tomb near Balata village, Nablus. On their return, Palestinians opened fire near Balata refugee camp. In an exchange of fire with Israeli forces, one 17-year-old Palestinian killed and two were injured. One of the injured, 16 years of age, died of his injuries on 9 July.
• 7 July: Palestinians from Immatin village, Qalqiliya, and Nazlat ‘Isa, Tulkarm, held demonstrations against Barrier construction. The IDF fired tear gas canisters and plasticcoated metal bullets. Ten Palestinians from Immatin were injured.
• 8 July: Palestinians from Mas-ha village, Salfit, held a demonstration against Barrier construction. The IDF fired tear gas canisters and plastic-coated metal bullets, no injuries were reported.
• 8 July: Four IDF soldiers suffered minor injuries when a roadside bomb exploded under their jeep as they were on patrol near the security fence south of Sufa crossing.
• 8 July: The IDF injured two Palestinians during Barrier protests in the Palestinian village of Imneizil, south of Hebron.
• 8 July: A 15-year-old boy from Beit Liqya, Ramallah, was killed by a Barrier private security guard near the village. The child was shot by live ammunition while working in his family’s field.
• 8 July: During a demonstration organised against Barrier construction in Bil’in, around 17 Palestinians were injured, including one who was shot in the head. He was reported to be in critical condition in Al Maqased Hospital, Jerusalem.
• 9 July: An 11-year-old Palestinian boy was shot and wounded in the neck when IDF soldiers at Al Tuffah checkpoint opened fire in the direction of a group of boys who were approaching the checkpoint.
• 9 July: Palestinians and Israeli activists held a demonstration against Barrier construction in Kafr Thulth village, Qalqiliya. The IDF fired tear gas canisters and plastic-coated metal bullets. Five Palestinians and one Israeli activist were reported injured and several suffered gas inhalation.
• 11 July: An Israeli civilian working for the IDF was injured when Palestinian militants fired an antitank rocket at IDF troops working on the Philadelphia corridor in Rafah.
• 12 July: Four Israelis, all women, were killed and dozens were injured when a Palestinian suicide bomber from ‘Attil, Tulkarm, blew himself up in front of Hasharon Mall in Netanya, Israel.
• 12 July: One Palestinian was killed and one was seriously injured when the IDF entered Tulkarm after the suicide bombing in Netanya. Two IDF soldiers were also injured in the operation.
• 12 July: A vehicle with Israeli plates entered Shavei Shomron settlement, Nablus, from the eastern entrance of the settlement, and exploded in the settlement. The driver was seriously injured. According to IDF, the driver was a Palestinian from the Tulkarm area and the vehicle was stolen from the Israeli Air Force.
• 12 July: Two IDF soldiers were injured when a roadside bomb went off under their jeep near Nezer Hazani settlement in Khan Younis.
2. Shelter and Property
0
3. Natural Resources
Land levelling/Requisitions/Tree Uprooting2
Nablus Governorate:
• 10 July: The IDF issued military order No. T/106/05 confiscating 8.1 dunums (0.81 hectares) of land belonging to Burin village for construction of a military road connected to Huwwara military post.
Jenin and Tubas Governorates:
• No incidents to report.
Tulkarm Governorate:
• 9 July: An amendment for land requisition order T/95/05 for 178 dunums (17.8 hectares) in Iskaka, Qalqiliya, for Barrier construction was issued.
• Ongoing incidents:
Qalqiliya Governorate:
• 6 July: The IDF started land levelling south of Immatin village for Barrier construction.
• 11 July: The IDF issued land requisition order T/108/05 for 3 dunums (0.3 hectares) belonging to Palestinians from An Nabi Elyas for the construction of a road to connect the new An Nabi Elyas gate to Road 55.
• Ongoing incidents:
Salfit Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Hebron Governorate:
• 9 July: Seven dunums (0.7 hectares) of agricultural land belonging to Palestinian farmers from Yatta town were levelled and plowed by Israeli settlers north of Ma’on settlement in the area referred to by locals as Jawaya. The Israeli Police, called by the Palestinian owners, stopped the settlers from continuing.
• Ongoing incidents:
Bethlehem Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Jerusalem Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Jericho Governorate:
• No incidents to report.
The Gaza Strip:
• No incidents to report.
_____________
1 Not reported last week.
2 4 dunums = 1 acre; 10 dunums = 1 hectare
4. Access for Medical Assistance
West Bank:
• 9 July: A PRCS ambulance was delayed for three hours as it was travelling from Jericho to the Jordanian border.
• Other incidents were reported in Tulkarm, incidents will be added as information becomes available.
The Gaza Strip:
• No incidents to report.
5. Access and Movement for Civilians
a) Curfew
• 12 July: The IDF entered Tulkarm city at 8pm and imposed curfew after the suicide bombing in Netanya. The curfew is on-going.
b) Access to Education
c) Access to Employment3
West Bank:
____________
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, 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 enforced.
Nablus Governorate:
• 12 July: Major delays occurred at Beit Iba checkpoint.
Jenin Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
Tubas Governorate:
• 11 July: Major delays occurred at Tayasir checkpoint.
Tulkarm Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Qalqiliya Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
Salfit Governorate:
• 9 July: The IDF closed the gate at the entrance of ‘Azzun ‘Atma village for three hours preventing residents’ access
Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:
• The IDF has re-closed the main entrance to Sinjil with a road block only a few weeks after the earth mound was removed. The eastern entrance to Umm Safa village was also closed by a road block on 1 July.
Jerusalem Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
Jericho Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Hebron Governorate:
The closure around the city of Hebron was eased with the opening of the entrance access through the town of Halhul. Closure on the southern half of the city and around Yatta remains tight: no movement is allowed for Palestinian vehicles at the Dura-Fawar junction, while the re-enforcement of earth mounds was visible along Road 60 and on Road 317, continuing the disconnection of remote rural areas form the urban centres of the governorate.
• 7 July: Access to the northern part of the city of Hebron was re-opened with the relaxation of the closures at Al-Nabi Younis junction both to Hebron and Sa’ir.
• 8 July: The IDF installed a new yellow gate on Idhna junction from road 35. The gate has remained open for Palestinians.
Bethlehem Governorate:
Closures have been significantly eased in the eastern and western parts of the governorate; physical road blocks are present along the western border of the urban area of Bethlehem, particularly along Road 60.
West Bank: Reported flying checkpoints
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 vehicle 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.
Rafah Passenger Terminal:
• Rafah Passengers terminal is partially open for Palestinians in both directions from 9am to 5pm. The problem of prolonged delays at the Egyptian side of the terminal which started on 17 June continues; more than 1,000 Palestinians are held up at the Egyptian side, waiting approximate for three days before they cross into the Gaza Strip. The IDF is allowing no more than from 600 to 800 Palestinians entry to the Gaza Strip per day.
6. Additional Protection Issues
• During the week, a total of 60 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.
• 6 to 12 July: The IDF has increased day and night patrols in many villages and towns and in Ramallah/Al Bireh cities.
• 8 July: A Palestinian militant was seriously wounded when a mortar shell he was trying to launch prematurely exploded.
• 9 July: Settlers from Tel Rumeida outpost, H2 Hebron city, threw stones at Palestinian houses near the outpost.
• 11 July: Nine Palestinians suffered shrapnel wounds when a homemade rocket prematurely exploded when they were trying to prevent militants from firing it in the Gaza Strip (These injuries are not included in this week’s statistics).
• 11 July: A 14 year-old-boy was injured when a homemade bomb went off while he was playing with it in Tel Es-sultan in Rafah (This injury is also not included).
Document Sources: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Subject: Economic issues, Incidents, Palestine question, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem
Publication Date: 12/07/2005