OCHA Weekly Briefing Notes – OPT (10 – 16 August 2005) – OCHA report

---

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

10 – 16 August 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:

• On 15 August, it became illegal for Israeli civilians to be inside the Gaza Strip; the Israeli pullout from the area began.

• During the week, a total of 12 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 (see section 6).

• On 12 July, following the suicide bombing in Netanya, a general closure on the oPt was imposed by the IDF. The closure is still imposed on the West Bank. In addition throughout the reporting period, several checkpoints were established while others were closed. Palestinian buildings were also used as observation points by Israeli forces (see sections 2 and 5).

1. Physical Protection¹

_____________

¹ The Israeli injury resulted from clashes between IDF and Israeli settlers.

Casualty Incidents Include:

• 10 August: Nine Palestinians from Al Lubban al Gharbi were injured by IDF live ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets during a demonstration against an Israeli archaeological excavation on village land.

• 10 August: Four Palestinian men were injured by IDF soldiers in the Old City of Hebron.

• 11 August: One Palestinian was injured during an exchange of fire with the IDF in the Old City of Nablus during an IDF search campaign in the city.

• 11 August: IDF soldiers physically assaulted and injured one Palestinian at a flying checkpoint near Burin village, Nablus. The injured Palestinian was taken to a hospital in Nablus.

• 12 August: The IDF fired tear gas canisters, rubber-coated metal bullets and stun grenades at activists and villagers protesting Barrier construction in Bil’in. Four Palestinians were injured, including a 13-year-old child. About 35 international and Israeli activists were detained by the IDF.

• 12 August: Israeli settlers entered ‘Anabta gate and reached Bal’a village, Tulkarm. The IDF and Israeli police came to evacuate the settlers. There was a confrontation between the IDF and Palestinian stone throwers. Two Palestinians were injured.

• 13 August: A group of Israeli settlers attacked and injured two elderly Palestinians from Ramin village, Tulkarm.

• 13 August: Three Palestinian minors (age 9, 13, and 14 years old) from the Palestinian town of Dura, Hebron Governorate, were injured by rubber-coated metal bullets fired by IDF soldiers near the neighborhood of Khanar during clashes.

• 14 August: A 6-year-old Palestinian girl was injured when the IDF opened fire toward Tal As Sultan area in Rafah, the Gaza Strip.

• 14 August: Settlers from Shave Shomeron settlement demonstrated and blocked Road 60 near the eastern entrance of the settlement. Clashes took place between the settlers and the IDF resulting in the injury of one IDF officer.

2. Shelter and Property

• No house demolitions were reported this week.

Other shelter/property related incidents

• 10 August: The IDF occupied a building in Ya’bad village and used it as observation point for 14 hours. The residents of the building (one family) were held in one room.

• 10 August: For 24 hours, the IDF occupied two houses (total 10 persons) in the Palestinian town of Dura, Hebron, and used them as observation posts.

• 15 August: The IDF occupied three houses and an animal pen in Bizzariyaa, Nablus, and used them as observation points. The residents of the houses (approximately 20 persons) were kept inside the houses.

• 15 August: The IDF occupied two buildings in Silat adh Dhahr village, Jenin. One of the houses is residence for one family (six persons). The other building is a commercial store and office.

• 15 August: The IDF occupied six shops in Al Fandaqumiya village, Jenin, on Road 60 and used them as military observation posts.

• 15 August: For 12 hours, the IDF occupied a house in the Palestinian town of Bani Na'im, Hebron. The movement of the inhabitants (five people) was restricted.

• 15 August: The IDF reoccupied the house of a Palestinian family located southwest of Abu Holi junction, the Gaza Strip; soldiers were on the second and third floors of the house. The family was informed that they would be locked in for a period of three to six weeks.

• 16 August: The IDF occupied the third floor of a building in al Damayra village, Jenin, and used it as an observation post.

• 16 August: The IDF occupied house in the Palestinian village of Yatta, Hebron, nd used it as an observation post.

3. Natural Resources

Land levelling/Requisitions/Tree Uprooting²

Nablus Governorate:

• No incidents to report.

Jenin and Tubas Governorates:

• No incidents to report.

Tulkarm Governorate:

• Ongoing incidents:

– Land levelling and construction of a tunnel, by Israeli contractors, continue on Road 57 near Kafriat checkpoint to connect Tulkarm city with the villages to the south.

– Land levelling around Avnei Khefets settlement continues for the construction of a new fence around the settlement.

Qalqiliya Governorate:

• Ongoing incidents:

– The IDF continued levelling land near Immatin village, Qalqiliya, for Barrier construction.

– The IDF continued levelling land north east of Jayyus village to construct a new road that connects Jayyus with Falamya Barrier gate.

Salfit Governorate:

• Ongoing incidents:

– Israeli contractors continued levelling land north of Salfit city, south of Marda village around Ari’el settlement and near Az Zawiya village for Barrier construction.

Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:

• 10 August: The IDF is levelling land near Atara partial checkpoint.

• 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 and south of Beit Liqya and north and south of Rantis checkpoint. Fencing (“road protection”) is also being erected at several locations along bypass Road 443.

Hebron Governorate:

• 31 July: (received 10 August) The IDF issued confiscation order number (T/129/05)) which covers 90 dunums (9 hectares) of agriculture land belonging to Palestinian farmers in areas adjacent to the Israeli settlements of Pnei Khever, Hebron Governorate. The confiscated land will be used to add a new layer to the security buffer zone and to build a new security road around the settlement.

• 11 August: Shepherds from the Palestinian village of Susiya were denied access to their land by IDF soldiers.

• Ongoing incidents:

– Land levelling for Barrier construction is ongoing along the southern section of the Green Line, east of Shani settlement, Ar Ramadin, Imneizil, east and west of the Meitar checkpoint and on the western side of Idhna.

Bethlehem Governorate:

• Ongoing incidents:

– Construction of the Barrier is ongoing in Khallet an Nu’man. Construction on Za’tara bypass road reached the Israeli settlement of Tko’a from the south and Khallet an Nu’man from the north.

– Land levelling and housing construction continues in the settlements of northern Efrat, western Neve Daniel, Giv’at Ha Tamar, El’azara, Har Gilo and Betar Illit B

Jerusalem Governorate:

• 15 August: Land leveling for Barrier construction started in the area between Biddu and Beit Iksa.

• Ongoing incidents:

– The IDF continued levelling land between Har Adar settlement and Beit Surik. Levelling also continues in the area between Qatanna and Kharayib Umm al Lahim villages and between Beit Ijza and Biddu villages.

– Construction of the Barrier continued along Road 60 between Qalandiya and Ar-Ram checkpoints. Land levelling to construct a new checkpoint/terminal located south of the current checkpoint is ongoing.

– Construction and land levelling continued east and west of Qalandiya checkpoint for construction of DCL offices, a parking lot and a road.

– Land levelling and construction of the Barrier continued alongside the road between Jaba’, Hizma and Anata.

– Land levelling is ongoing near the Coptic housing project and in Wadi Ayyad near Neve Yaakov settlement, as well as on the northern side of ‘Anata town.

– Barrier construction is ongoing on the eastern and southern sides of the village and in Sheikh Sa’d.

Jericho Governorate:

• No incidents to report.

The Gaza Strip:

• No incidents to report.

_______________

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

4. Access for Medical Assistance

West Bank:

• 15 August: A PRCS ambulance was denied access at two separate entrances while travelling from Jenin to Nablus. After coordination with the DCL the ambulance returned to the first entrance and was allowed to pass.

The Gaza Strip:

• 10 August: A PRCS ambulance was denied access after waiting 90 minutes at Al Tuffah checkpoint while transporting a patient from Al Mawassi to Naser hospital in Khan Younis.

5. Access and Movement for Civilians

a) Curfew

• No incidents to report.

b) Access to Education

• No incidents to report.

c) Access to Employment

West Bank: Throughout the reporting period, workers and traders from the West Bank were unable to reach their places of work in Israel as closure has been imposed since the suicide bombing in Netanya city on 12 July.

The Gaza Strip:

As of 10 August, the total number of Gaza Strip workers permits was 2,017 including 1,958 with overnight stay; 720 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 July, following the suicide bombing in Netanya, a general closure on the oPt was imposed by the IDF. The closure is still imposed on the West Bank but has been lifted for Gaza Strip workers and traders to Israel; however, movement has not been allowed in the later part of the reporting period due to the disengagement (see above).

Nablus Governorate:

• 3 August to date: (Ongoing) The prohibition is still in effect for residents of Jenin, Tulkarm and Qalqiliya to travel south through Za’atara (Tappouah) checkpoint.

• 14 August: Major delays occurred at Shave Shomeron checkpoint.

• 15 August: The IDF closed the entrance to Burqa village with road blocks.

• 15 August: The IDF removed an earth mound west of Bizzariya village. The village is now connected to Tulkarm Governorate but is cut off from Nablus Governorate by earth mound from the east.

• 15 August: The IDF closed Shave Shomeron checkpoint for all, including humanitarian agencies.

• 15 August: The IDF established a new checkpoint on Road 60 west of Deir Sharaf village. The checkpoint has an iron gate. The IDF also established a checkpoint on Road 60 at Jit junction. The checkpoint has an iron gate blocking a section of Road 60 toward Tulkarm Governorate.

• 15 August: The IDF established a checkpoint on Road 60 near Madama village.

• 15 August: The IDF closed Hamra checkpoint from 6am to 4pm.

Jenin Governorate:

• 14 August: The IDF closed seven internal entrances in Silat Adh Dhahr village on Road 60. Only one entrance to the western part of the village and one entrance to the eastern part of the village are open.

• 14 August: The IDF closed most of the dirt roads with earth mounds around the section of Road 585 from Arraba junction to Qaffin (Tulkarm) junction.

• 15 August: The IDF suspended all permits to Israel. Only humanitarian cases are allowed with prior coordination.

• 15 August: The IDF closed Araba junction (Road 60/Road 585) toward Jenin city. The road is still open toward Road 585.

• 15 August: The IDF closed the main entrance of Ya’bad village with road blocks.

• 15 August: The IDF established three checkpoints on Road 585 between Arraba junction to Qafin junction. Two of the checkpoints have iron gates.

• 15 August: The IDF closed Dahiat Sabah al Khayr checkpoint for all Palestinians. Humanitarian movement requires prior coordination.

• 15 August: The IDF closed Al Jalama commercial checkpoint. Ten trucks of food items per day are allowed to go through Salem checkpoint. No outgoing goods are allowed.

• 15 August: The IDF closed the main entrance of Fahma al Jadida village with road blocks.

• 16 August: The IDF closed the entrances of al ‘Asa’asa and Jaba’ villages with road blocks.

• 16 August: The IDF closed Reikhan Barrier gate and channelled movement to Dhaher al ‘Abed gate for Barta’a ash Sharqiya residents and to Umm ar Rihan (Shaked) Barrier gate for Umm ar Rihan and Dhaher al Malih residents.

Tubas Governorate:

• No major incidents to report.

Tulkarm Governorate:

• 10 August to date: (Ongoing) The IDF is manning a checkpoint west of ‘Anabta village at the junction to Bizzariya village.

• 15 August: The IDF established an observation tower and a checkpoint structure with a gate at Enav junction on Road 57.

• 15 August: The IDF established a checkpoint on Road 585 near Qafin village junction. The checkpoint is closed for Palestinians.

• 15 August: The IDF closed the main entrance of Qafin village with road blocks. Villagers are forced to use an alternative road west of Qafin.

• 12 to 15 August: The IDF closed ‘Anabta gate for all traffic, including pedestrian.

• 16 August: The IDF allowed pedestrian movement through ‘Anabta gate. Back-to-back transportation for taxis and buses is allowed.

• Ongoing incidents:

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

– The IDF continued to close all dirt roads that lead to ’Illar, Nazlat ‘Isa, Baqa ash Sharqiya, Qaffin with earth mounds. Palestinians from these villages need to take long detours to reach Tulkarm city.

Qalqiliya and Salfit Governorates:

• No major incidents to report.

Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:

• No major incidents to report.

Jerusalem Governorate:

• 14 August: Hundreds of Palestinians held a march near Al-Aqsa Mosque to protest the denial of access by the Israeli security forces. Israeli police closed several roads and restricted access in the area, especially near the Old City.

]

Jericho Governorate:

• 16 August: The DCL checkpoint was closed for several morning hours.

• Ongoing incidents:

– Palestinian West Bank residents from areas outside of the Jericho Governorate are denied access at Yitav checkpoint near Road 449, north Jericho. Jericho residents can cross the checkpoint from south to north to go to Al Auja. Travel on Road 90 north of Al Auja is not allowed unless they have a special permit from the IDF. Only approximately five Palestinian villages in the north of Jericho District are allowed to travel on Road 90 north of Yitav checkpoint without a permit.

Hebron Governorate:

• No major incidents to report.

Bethlehem Governorate:

• No major incidents to report.

West Bank: Reported flying checkpoints

The Gaza Strip:

• Since 23 July and ongoing: Due to the restricted opening hours at Abu Holi junction, there is heavy traffic congestion.

• 15 August: The IDF erected a number of flying checkpoints at the entrance of the Palestinian parts of Al Mawassi preventing Palestinian vehicular movement near Israeli settler roads.

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. People are still facing significant difficulties getting their belongings into or outside the area.

• 16 August: The IDF announced the area as a closed military zone; Palestinian residents of the area are not allowed in or out.

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.

• 5 August: (Ongoing) Al Tuffah checkpoint was closed in both directions for all Palestinians.

• 14 August: Al Tuffah checkpoint was open from 12pm to 7pm for arrivals only; more than 200 Al- Mawassi residents were allowed in.

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 Ma’ani 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.

• 14 and 15 August: The gate was closed.

• 16 August: The IDF opened the gate from 7am to 10.30am to allow people bringing supplies in.

• 16 August: The IDF allowed a group of four medics with medical kits to enter and stay inside Al Ma’ani area during the disengagement period.

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.

• 14 August: The IDF has advised families that they are going to shut the area down for four to six weeks. Two Palestinian families have left.

6. Additional Protection Issues

• During the week, a total of 12 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.

• Israeli police are on alert to prevent Jewish extremists from entering Al Haram Al Sharif (Jerusalem Old City).

• 14 August: PA security forces began deploying outside Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip to prevent Palestinian militants from carrying out attacks during the disengagement.

• 15 August: In Gaza city, three armed and masked men abducted a sound technician working for a French television station. He was taken to an unknown location.

• 10 to 16 August: Throughout the week, Israeli settlers from Tel Rumeida and Kiryat Arba settlements threw stones at Palestinian homes and pedestrians in H2 of Hebron city.

Searches/Arrests/Detentions

---