OCHA Weekly Briefing Notes – OPT (5 – 11 October 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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Protection of Civilians – Weekly Briefing Notes

5 – 11 October 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:

• For the third week, the IDF and Border Police maintained a total closure of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. No permit holders have been allowed to access Israel since 24 September and only limited humanitarian cases were facilitated. The Israeli military also restricted Palestinians entry into Jerusalem to attend the first Friday prayer during the month of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

1. Physical Protection

Casualty Incidents:

• 5 October: A Palestinian attempted to stab an IDF soldier at Beit Furik checkpoint, Nablus. The IDF soldiers fired at the Palestinian which resulted in a Palestinian bystander being injured. The Palestinian who tried to attack the soldier was arrested.

• 5 October: An Israeli settler was lightly injured when Palestinian youth stoned his car near the village of Mikhmas, Jerusalem. Some damage was also reported to the car.

• 6 October: A Palestinian was killed when an explosive device prematurely detonated near an Israeli military post in ‘Asira ash Shamaliya village area, Nablus.

• 7 October: An 11-year-old Palestinian boy was seriously injured when Israeli settlers from the settlement of Beit Hadassah threw stones through the protective net erected by the IDF above Old Al Shallalah street, H2 Area of Hebron City.

• 8 October: A 13-year-old Palestinian minor was injured in the Palestinian town of Surif, Hebron, when the IDF shot him. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.

• 9 October: An exchange of fire took place between the IDF and Palestinian gunmen near the  ‘Asira ash Shamaliya road block north of Nablus City, Nablus. A 24-year-old Palestinian was killed.

• 9 October: IDF entered ‘Ein Beit el Ma refugee camp, Nablus, and clashes erupted between with Palestinian stone throwers. One Palestinian was injured.

• 10 October; Three Palestinians aged 15, 17 and 20 years old were shot dead by the IDF near the Gaza Strip eastern border in Deir Al Balah.

2. Shelter and Property

Incidents:

• No incidents to report.

Other shelter/property related incidents:

• 8 October: Israeli settlers from the outpost of Neve Daniel north have occupied an uninhabited house that belongs to a Palestinian family from the town of Al Khadr, Bethlehem.

• The temporary occupation of houses by the IDF continued to take place in the H2 Area of Hebron City. This week the IDF occupied three houses for a period of 12 to 36 hours.

3. Natural Resources

Land levelling/Requisitions/Tree Uprooting¹

Nablus, Jenin and Tubas Governorate:

• No incidents to report.

Tulkarm Governorate:

• Ongoing incidents:

– Land levelling around Avnei Khefets and Enav settlements continues for the construction of a new fence around the settlements.

Qalqiliya Governorate:

• Ongoing incidents:

– The IDF continued levelling land near Immatin village and between ‘Azzun and Kafr Thulth for the construction of the Barrier.

Salfit Governorate:

• Ongoing incidents:

– Israeli contractors continued levelling land north of Salfit City, Iskaka and Deir Istiya villages and south of Marda and Kifl Haris villages around Ari’el settlement and near Az Zawiya village for Barrier construction.

Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:

• Ongoing incidents:

– Land levelling for Barrier construction continues between Budrus to the south of al Midya, and between Kharbatha Bani Harith, Bil’in and Saffa villages (all west Ramallah). Land levelling for Barrier construction also continues between Beituniya and Beit ‘Ur al Fauqa, between At Tira and Beit Duqqu, south of Beit Liqya and north and south of Rantis checkpoint.

Hebron Governorate:

• Ongoing incidents:

– Land leveling for construction of the Barrier is ongoing along the southern section of the Green Line, east of Shani settlement, and on the western side of Idhna. From the northern side the final layer of the Barrier has reached Al Burj village. Along the last section of Road No. 60 contractors are busy leveling land for a new terminal, a back-toback area and what could be a new section of the bypass road.

Bethlehem Governorate:

• Ongoing incidents:

– Contractors for the construction of the Barrier fenced in the area around Khallet an Nu’man. The main road from Al Khas is open.

– Construction on the Za’tara bypass road is still taking place near Khallet an Nu’man; the bridge across Road No. 398 is now accessible.

– Land levelling continues around the settlements of northern Efrat, western Neve Daniel, Giv’at Ha Tamar, El’azar, Har Gilo and Betar Illit.

– Land levelling has taken place along the eastern section of Road No. 60 between the turn off for Beit Jala and the Al Khadr/Husan junction – a road protection barrier is likely to be installed in accordance with the February 2005 Barrier route revision.

Jerusalem Governorate:

• Ongoing incidents:

– Barrier construction is taking place all along the projected route in the Jerusalem governorate; exceptions to this are northeast of Al ‘Eizariyya towards Ma’ale Adumim settlement and the Bir Nabala planned enclave.

Jericho Governorate:

• No incidents to report.

The Gaza Strip:

• No incidents to report.

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

4. Restriction on Humanitarian Assistance

• 11 October: The ICRC family visitation programme to Israeli prisons remained suspended as a result of the total closure imposed on the West Bank and Gaza Strip since 24 September.

5. Access and Movement for Civilians

a) Curfews

• 9 October: The IDF enforced a curfew on Beita village, Nablus, for six hours.

b) Access to Education

Hebron Governorate:

• 8 – 11 October: The IDF and Border Police intensified their presence around Hebron University and Al Quds Open University, H1 Area of Hebron City. The IDF soldiers harassed and physically assaulted both the students and university staff. The long checking system which the IDF soldiers employed caused delays and disrupted the school day.

• Ongoing incidents:

– For the fifth week, teachers coming from the Palestinian towns of Yatta and Samu’ had difficultly reaching Imneizil elementary school. IDF soldiers manning Beit Yatir checkpoint denied the teachers’ access and detained them for several hours. In some cases the teachers were sent back for not having the proper permits to reach the Palestinian village of Imneizil.

– The IDF and Israeli Police continue to escort Palestinian students walking from Tuba to their school in At Tuwani, south Hebron. The escort is taking place to protect the students from possible attacks carried by Israeli settlers from Ma’on settlement. During the week the military escort has not met the students returning home on time causing an average delay of one hour.

– In order to avoid encountering Israeli settlers along Road No. 317 students from the Palestinian communities of Susya, Qawawis and Mantiqat Shi'b al Batin in south Hebron continue to use tractors and trailers on dirt roads to reach their school in At Tuwani village.

– Children attending the Al Ibrahimmiyye primary school in the Old City of Hebron who approach it from the south continue to have to pass through new metal detector gates set up by the IDF north of the Abu Rish Mosque.

c) Access to Employment

Since 24 September, the IDF and Israeli Border Police have imposed a total closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. No permit holders (worker or traders) were allowed access to Israel.

d) Closures/Movement restrictions

Nablus Governorate:

• 5 October: The IDF closed the road connecting Sarra village to Road No. 55 near Sarra checkpoint with road blocks.

• 9 October: The IDF removed restrictions on some vehicular movement at Zaatara (Tapppuah) checkpoint. Since the 25 September the checkpoint had been closed for vehicular movement for residents of northern West Bank (Jenin, Tubas, Nablus, Tulkarm and Qalqiliya) unless they have a special permit to cross checkpoints in the West Bank.

• Ongoing incidents:

– Shave Shomeron checkpoint remains closed.

– All entrances connecting Sabastiya village with Road No. 60 remain blocked by earth mounds.

Jenin Governorate:

• Ongoing incidents:

– The IDF closed all the entrances to Ya’bad village with road blocks and barbed wire. Only one alternative road is open towards Jenin City through Kufeirit village.

– The IDF closed Road No. 585 from Mevo Dotan settlement entrance to Khermesh settlement entrance with two checkpoints.

– The IDF established a metal gate at a road leading from Ya’bad town to Road No. 585 which is hindering Palestinian movement in the area. Palestinians are using alternative dirt roads to reach there charcoal factorises and olive groves in the area.

Tubas Governorate:

• 9 October: The IDF detained five shepherds in an area near Al Malaih village, Tubas, and held them at Tayasir checkpoint for several hours.

• Ongoing incidents:

– Palestinians holding permits to the “Jericho area” were denied access at Tayasir checkpoint. Only Palestinian residents from Kardala and Bardala villages and Palestinian holders of West Bank permits are allowed to cross.

Tulkarm Governorate:

• 5 October: The IDF opened Taybeh commercial checkpoint which was closed during the Jewish New Year holiday.

• Ongoing incidents:

– The IDF continues to prevent Palestinians with Israeli IDs from entering Palestinian controlled areas unless they have relatives living in Tulkarm.

– The ‘Anabta gate remained closed for Palestinian vehicular movement.

– The IDF is still manning a checkpoint west of ‘Anabta village on the junction to Bizzariya village.

Qalqiliya Governorate:

• No incidents to report.

Salfit Governorate:

• No incidents to report.

Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:

• 9 October: At approximately 3pm the IDF checked Palestinian cars at Atara partial checkpoint for about two hours. Delays were reported.

• 10 October: At approximately 2.30pm the IDF set up a flying checkpoint between Surda and Ramallah for at least two hours. Palestinians experienced long delays and were unable to reach their residents on time for “Iftar” (breaking of the fast during the month of Ramadan).

• 10 October: At approximately 3pm the IDF set up a flying checkpoint near Ras Karkar for about 1 ½ hours checking Palestinian’s vehicles. Delays were reported.

• Ongoing incidents:

– Temporary vehicular and pedestrian arrangements are now in place at Qalandiya checkpoint while construction of the new checkpoint continues. The main road through the old checkpoint is now closed. Traffic is being rerouted to a new road to the east that joins the main road between Qalandiya and Jaba'. A temporary fenced walkway is in place for pedestrians.

Jerusalem Governorate:

• 7 October: The Israeli Border Police only allowed Palestinians above the age of 45 years old to enter Jerusalem for the Friday prayer at the Al Aqsa Mosque in the Old City.

Jericho Governorate:

• No incidents to report.

Hebron Governorate:

• 5 – 11 October: The IDF erected flying checkpoints at entrances to major Palestinian towns and on the main roads in Hebron governorate. Vehicles travelling between Bethlehem and Hebron faced problems getting through Gush Etzion checkpoint.

• 5, 10, 11 October: The Israeli authorities denied the access of Palestinians to the Tomb of the Patriarchs (Al-Ibrahimi Mosque) in the Old City.

• Ongoing incidents:

– In Imneizil the construction of the Barrier continues close to the main road which leads to the village. Palestinians are still using alternative difficult and insecure roads to enter the village.

Bethlehem Governorate:

• 7 October: At Gilo checkpoint, the Israeli Border Police only allowed Palestinians above the age of 45 years old to enter Jerusalem for the Friday prayer at the Al Aqsa Mosque in the Old City.

• The IDF has removed the military observation tower placed in front of the village of Husan, along Road No. 375.

• According to the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism, 29,000 tourists entered the city of Bethlehem during the month of September. The movement of tourists has increased by 15% to the last month (August) but is still four times less than for the same month pre-intifada (September 1999). In September 2004, a total of 7,515 tourists entered Bethlehem.

The Gaza Strip:

Since 24 September the IDF have imposed a total closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. No permit holders (worker or traders) were allowed access to Israel from the Gaza Strip. Rafah crossing point has remained closed since 7 September

6. Additional Protection Issues

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