OPT: Protection of civilians – OCHA Weekly report (14-20 November 2012)

PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS WEEKLY REPORT

التقرير الأسبوعي لحماية المدنيين

14 – 20 NOVEMBER 2012

Key issues

   The Israeli offensive on Gaza, which started on 14 November, triggered widespread demonstrations across the West Bank. Protests evolved into violent clashes with Israeli forces, which resulted in the killing of two Palestinians and the injury of hundreds of other demonstrators.

   There were no demolitions by the Israeli authorities this week, compared to a significant wave of demolitions in the previous two weeks.

WEST BANK

Two Palestinians killed and hundreds injured in protests against Israel’s offensive in Gaza

The Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip triggered widespread protests across the West Bank, which evolved into clashes with Israeli forces and resulted in the killing of two Palestinians and the injury of around 560, including over 140 children. This is one of the highest numbers of injuries recorded by OCHA in the West Bank in a single week since it has started recording casualties in 2005. Four Israeli soldiers were reportedly injured during two clashes.

Demonstrations began on 14 November, coinciding with the Palestinian declaration of Independence Day. The demonstrations evolved into violent clashes on 16 November, extending until the end of the reporting period. During protests, Palestinians threw stones at Israeli forces, and the latter responded by shooting rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and live ammunition.

On 17 November, during a demonstration in An Nabi Saleh village against the Israeli offensive, Israeli forces shot with live ammunition and injured a 29-year-old Palestinian protestor in the abdomen reportedly from a distance of 10 meters;

 the man died of his wounds two days later. On 19 November, Israeli forces shot and killed a 22-year-old Palestinian man while taking part in a demonstration inside Hebron City. According to Israeli sources, the Palestinian was shot when he tried to stab a soldier. Palestinian sources indicated that the man received four live bullets and that an ambulance was allowed to evacuate him only after 30 minutes. The last Palestinian fatality by Israeli forces in the West Bank was recorded more than three months ago.

Palestinian casualties by Israeli forces

Killed this week: 2

Killed in 2012: 6

Killed in 2011: 11

Injured this week: 559

Injured in 2012: 2,862

Injured in 2011: 1,460

2012 vs. 2011 weekly averages: 60 vs. 30

Search and arrest operations by Israeli forces this week: around 60

The largest number of injuries (around 160) was recorded at a demonstration at Rachel’s Tomb near Gilo checkpoint in Bethlehem City. Other violent clashes took place inside Hebron City (over 100), Huwwara checkpoint in Nablus (around 70), at Beituniya checkpoint near Ofer prison (around 50), at the entrance of Qalqiliya City (over 40), at Qalandiya checkpoint (around 13) and ‘Atara checkpoint in Ramallah (around 18). Violent clashes were also recorded throughput East Jerusalem neighbourhoods, including Ras al Amud, Damascus Gate, Silwan, Al Isawiya and Shu’fat refugee camp.

About half of the injuries resulted from tear gas inhalation requiring medical treatment, over one-third were sustained by rubber-coated metal bullets and the remaining by live ammunition, tear gas canisters or physical assault.

Four Israeli settlers and one Palestinian injured by Palestinian stone throwing; settler attacks on Palestinian property continue

In three incidents this week, Palestinians hurled stones at Israeli settlers driving on West Bank roads in the Jerusalem and Bethlehem governorates, injuring four. One of the settlers was an elderly woman driving in a car in Gush Eztion (Bethlehem) who sustained severe head injuries on 20 November. In at least one occasion this week, Palestinians threw Molotov cocktails at settler vehicles driving near Ramallah; no injuries or damage were reported

On 19 November, a Palestinian man sustained injuries after an Israeli settler struck him with his vehicle on Road 60 near Ofra settlement during a demonstration against the Israeli offensive in Gaza (Ramallah). Additionally, five incidents of damage to Palestinian property were recorded. In one incident, Israeli settlers raided Ras Karkar village in the early hours of 18 November, damaging the windows of one house. In addition, Israeli settlers, reportedly from Yitzhar settlement, set fire to a mosque in the nearby ‘Urif village (Nablus), causing damage to the walls and the carpets. ‘Urif is one of six Palestinian communities that are exposed to continuous violence from Yitzhar settlement. Israeli forces arrived at the scene to investigate the incident, triggering clashes with the residents; as a result ten Palestinians were treated after inhaling tear gas. In two additional incidents, settlers set fire to a car in Sinjil village (Ramallah) and stoned another car in Burin village (Nablus), damaging both.

Settler-related incidents resulting in injuries or property damage: 

This week: 6

2012 weekly average: 7

2011 weekly average: 8

Palestinian injuries by settler violence:

This week: 1

Injured in 2012: 143

Injured in 2011: 206

2012 vs. 2011 weekly averages: 3 vs. 4

Israeli settlers injured by Palestinians:

This week: 4

Injured in 2012: 43

No demolitions reported

This week, no demolitions were reported in Area C or East Jerusalem. This follows a significant increase in the past two weeks, during which over 90 Palestinian-owned structures were demolished, more than 40 percent of which were residences, and some 130 people were displaced. 

Palestinian-owned structures demolished in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem

This week:

Demolished: 0

Demolished in 2012: 568

Of which residences: 178

People displaced in 2012: 1,014

2012 vs. 2011 demolitions (weekly av.): 12 vs. 12

2012 vs. 2011 people displaced (weekly av.): 20 vs. 21

Please note that the figures in this report are subject to changes upon the receipt of additional information.

For more information, please contact Mai Yassin at yassinm@un.org or +972 (0)2 5829962.