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
(1 – 7 June 2005)
INSIDE: Physical Protection – Deaths and Injuries — Shelter and Property – People displaced/House demolition/Demolition orders — Natural Resources – Land levelling/Requisitions/Tree Uprooting — Facilitation of Humanitarian 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:
• 7 June: Palestinian militants fired 14 mortar shells and one homemade rocket at Gush Qatif settlement block. Three labourers (two Palestinians and one Chinese) in the settlement greenhouses were killed and five Palestinians were injured (see section 1).
• 2 June: In Wad Al-Jerfan, east of Az Zuweidin and to the south of Hebron, the IDF demolished three barracks housing three families, a total of 23 people (18 minors), and one animal pen housing 150 sheep/goats. The structures received a demolition order in December 2004 for being built illegally in a military training zone (see section 2).
• 3 to 7 June: The IDF started levelling land for the construction of the Barrier south of Marda village, Salfit, approximately 1,500 olive trees were uprooted (see section 3).
• 5 June: Israeli security forces declared the city of Jerusalem under high alert and deployed several mobile checkpoints to provide security for Israelis who were commemorating the 1967 war. Movement in and around the Old City was highly restricted. Clashes erupted between Palestinian worshipers and Israeli Police when Israeli groups tried to enter the area of Al Aqsa mosque.
Selected Incidents:
• Throughout the week, demonstrations against the Barrier were held, including in Beit Surik (Jerusalem), Marda (Salfit), and Bil’in (west Ramallah District). In total, 33 Palestinians were reported injured; three Israelis were also injured, including an Israeli soldier who lost his eye – a result of stone throwing.
• 1 June: A Palestinian was shot and killed on Road 57 when he did not stop at a flying checkpoint manned by Israeli traffic police.
• 2 June: An 11-year-old Palestinian girl was hospitalised after she was run over by an Israeli settler driving a car near Umm Safa village, north Ramallah District.
• 5 June: A Palestinian was beaten and injured by the IDF at Nazlat ‘Isa Barrier gate, Tulkarm.
• 5 June: A 17-year-old Palestinian boy was injured when IDF soldiers in the outpost near Neveh Dekalim settlement, the Gaza Strip, opened fire in the direction of a group of Palestinians who tried to approach the settlement fence.
• 7 June: An Egyptian citizen was shot and killed by the IDF when he tried to enter the Gaza Strip through the security fence.
• 7 June: Palestinian militants fired 14 mortar shells and one homemade rocket at Gush Qatif settlement block. Three labourers (two Palestinians and one Chinese) in the settlement greenhouses were killed and five Palestinians were injured.
• 7 June: The IDF entered Qabatiya town south of Jenin and surrounded a building. The IDF called for a wanted Palestinian to surrender and leave the building. An exchange of fire took place. A Palestinian armed militant was killed and one Israeli soldier was injured. During the operation, an unarmed Palestinian policeman was killed and six unarmed Palestinians were injured.
3. Natural Resources
Land levelling/Requisitions/Tree Uprooting2
Nablus/Jenin and Tubas Governorates:
• No incidents to report.
Tulkarm Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
Qalqiliya Governorate:
• 5 June: The IDF started levelling land northeast of Jayyus village to construct a new road connecting Jayyus with Falamya Barrier gate. Approximately 8 dunums (0.8 hectares) were levelled in the area. Fifteen olive trees have also been uprooted.
Salfit Governorate:
• 3 to 7 June: The IDF started levelling land for the construction of the Barrier south of Marda village, approximately 1,500 olive trees were uprooted.
• Ongoing incidents:
Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:
• 2 June: Around 200 olive trees were uprooted in Bil’in for Barrier construction.
• Ongoing incidents:
Hebron Governorate:
• 1 to 7 June: The IDF installed a new observation tower/base in Jabal Jouhar, H2 in Hebron city. One dunum (0.1 hectare) of land was confiscated for the new construction (previously reported).
• Ongoing incidents:
Bethlehem Governorate:
• No new incidents to report.
• Ongoing incidents:
Jerusalem Governorate:
• 1 June: The IDF resumed land levelling for Barrier construction in Beit Surik.
• Ongoing incidents:
Jericho Governorate:
• No incidents to report.
The Gaza Strip:
• No incidents to report.
West Bank:
Selected Incidents:
• 5 June: A MSF health service team was stopped for one hour by the Israeli police in the Old City of Hebron.
The Gaza Strip:
• 6 June: An ambulance en route to Israel carrying 12 cancer and heart disease patients was delayed at Erez crossing for one hour. Despite prior coordination and permits issued, nine of the 12 patients were denied access.
• No incidents to report.
West Bank:
• 7June: Five students were unable to take their final matriculation exams- Tawjihi in Qabatiya town, Jenin, due to an ongoing IDF military operation in the neighbourhood they live in.
The Gaza Strip:
• No incidents to report.
West Bank: May 20054
The Gaza Strip:
• As of 1 June, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Labour, the total number of Gaza Strip workers permits was 5,551 including 1,953 with overnight stay; 835 permits were issued to Erez Industrial Zone workers. All workers must be aged 35 or older and married with children. Overnight stay permits are only issued for workers aged 40 and older.
Nablus Governorate:
• 3 to 7 June: The IDF began requesting permits from all Palestinians going through Hamra checkpoint. Hundreds of Palestinians were denied access at the checkpoint. Previously, Palestinians from Frush Beit Dajjan, Al Jiftlik, Bardala, Kardala, Ein Shibli, Al Nassaria and Al Aqrabania villages were allowed to pass without permits.
• 6 June: The IDF closed Beit Iba checkpoint for three hours after a Palestinian man was caught at the checkpoint carrying explosives. The IDF detonated the explosives and arrested the Palestinian.
• 7 June: The IDF closed Zaatara (Tappuah) checkpoint for Palestinian residents of the northern West Bank heading south.
Jenin Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
Tubas Governorate:
• No major incidents to report.
Tulkarm Governorate:
• 7 June: At 3pm, the IDF closed Kafriat checkpoint, south of Tulkarm; at the same time, a flying checkpoint closed Road 57 at the Enav junction outside ‘Anabta village. Hundreds of Palestinians were held at the checkpoints.
• Ongoing incidents:
Qalqiliya Governorate:
• 3 to 6 June: The IDF is prohibiting Palestinian farmers at Zfim Barrier gate from using the patrol road near the Barrier to reach their land west of the Barrier. The Palestinian farmers must take a detour of approximately 2 kilometres.
• 4 to 6 June: The IDF did not allow Palestinians from outside the Alfe Menashe enclave to cross Ras at Tira Barrier gate in their vehicles despite having valid green permits to cross. Residents from inside the enclave are still permitted to cross in their own vehicles.
Salfit Governorate:
• 1 June: Four IDF jeeps entered Haris village and prevented movement to or from the village for nearly two hours.
Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:
• 2 June: Long delays were experienced at the ‘Atara partial checkpoint as the IDF checked IDs, searched cars and held a number of Palestinian men. Only pedestrians were permitted to cross the bridge northward for a certain period
• 5 June: Entry into Jerusalem via Road 60 was closed to Palestinians.
Hebron Governorate:
• 6 June: Lengthy delays and visible military presence slowed down traffic between the districts of Hebron and Bethlehem.
Bethlehem Governorate:
• The western entrance of Tuqu’ town, from Road 356, is being used; closures were cleared four weeks ago.
• The IDF has installed a new yellow gate at the southern entrance of Bethlehem city from Road 60. The new gate does not replace the earth mounds, which remain in place preventing any inbound or outbound traffic.
Jericho Governorate:
• Ongoing incidents:
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 were prevented daily from entering the area despite having proper documentation.
• Since 30 May, IDF has allowed neither the full cooking gas bottles nor the empty ones into the area.
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 remained closed since 14 January 2004.
• 6 June: The IDF allowed only 60 persons into Al Mawassi while about 100 persons were allowed out. Due to limited access, some 350 people could not enter or exit Al-Mawassi and had to return in order to try again the next day.
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 organizations 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 and 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 key 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.
• 1 June: Two anti-tank rockets were fired in the direction of IDF installations at the border fence with Egypt west of Block J in Rafah. No injuries were reported.
• 2 June: Eighty-five prisoners from Hebron and 47 from Bethlehem District were released; 77 Palestinian prisoners from the Ramallah/Al Bireh governorate were released.
• 7 June: Five homemade rockets were fired by Palestinians from Beit Hanoun in the direction of Sederot damaging one house. An IAF aircraft fired a missile at rocket launchers in the northern Gaza Strip. Also, two anti-tank rockets were fired at IDF troops at the border fence with Egypt on two occasions. During the night, militants fired at IDF outpost near Salah Ed-Din gate and the soldiers responded by firing toward Block O. Two mortar shells were fired at Slaw settlement and the IDF then fired at Tel Es-Sultan quarter.
Searches/Arrests/Detentions
_______________________
1 Two Palestinians and one international were killed and five Palestinians injured as a result of Palestinian militant attacks. See section 1.
2 4 dunums = 1 acre; 10 dunums = 1 hectare
3 Not reported last week.
4 Number of work permits will be updated as information becomes available
Document Sources: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Subject: Economic issues, Incidents, Palestine question, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem
Publication Date: 07/06/2005