OPT: Protection of civilians – OCHA Weekly report (25 June -1 July 2008)

OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS

P.O. Box 38712, East Jerusalem, Phone: (+972) 2-582 9962 / 582 5853, Fax: (+972) 2-582 5841 ochaopt@un.org, www.ochaopt.org

Protection of Civilians Weekly Report

25 June – 1 July 2008

Of note this week

Gaza Strip:

– The IDF injured two Palestinians (unarmed civilians) near the border in Khan Younis governorate.

– On 1 July, approximately 25 patients and 130 other Palestinians on a list approved by the Egyptian government crossed from Gaza to Egypt via Rafah crossing. According to police officers at Rafah crossing, approximately 5,000 Gazans applied for permits to leave Gaza for medical treatment, schooling, trading and other reasons.

– On one occasion, IDF patrol boats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats at sea. No injuries or damage were reported (Central Gaza).

– Raw and partially-treated sewage continues to pour into the Mediterranean from the Gaza Strip due to the lack of fuel supplies and spare parts for treatment plants. The worst affected areas are southern Rafah, north of Wadi Gaza and the beaches alongside Gaza City. WHO has asked municipalities to post signs that clearly indicate polluted areas since many people continue to swim and fish in these areas.

– Three rudimentary rockets and five mortars were fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. No injuries or damage were reported.

West Bank:

– The IDF killed two Palestinians (unarmed civilians) and injured 28 others, including 23 in anti-Barrier demonstrations in Ni’lin in Ramallah governorate. In addition, three Israeli and two international protestors were injured by the IDF during anti-Barrier demonstrations.

– Israeli settlers fired two mortar shells from Brakha settlement towards Burin village that resulted in neither injuries nor damage (Nablus).

– Israeli settlers threw stones at and injured two Palestinians (Hebron), threw stones at and damaged a Palestinian-registered taxi (Qalqiliya), and burnt one olive tree (Ramallah).

– The IDF issued demolition orders against six structures in the Hebron governorate, including three houses and a mosque.

– The Israeli Border Police raided two mechanic shops in Hizma and confiscated ten vehicles belonging to Palestinians from East Jerusalem under the claim that Israeli law bans the repair of Israeli-plated vehicles in West Bank areas outside the Israeli-defined municipal boundaries of Jerusalem.

– This week, 98 flying checkpoints, 150 IDF search operations and 48 arrests/detentions of Palestinians were reported this week. Compared to the previous week, this is a 31% increase in flying checkpoints and a 32% increase in IDF search operations.

Full report: