OCHA Weekly Briefing Notes – OPT (4 – 10 May 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

(4 – 10 May 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:

• During rock-throwing clashes in Bet Liqya, Ramallah, the IDF shot and killed two unarmed Palestinian boys (ages 14 and 15 years) with live ammunition (section 1).

• The Gaza Strip: During the week, more than 14 homemade rockets and mortar shells were fired by Palestinians in the direction of the Israeli settlements and the nearby Israeli towns. No injuries were reported (section 6).

• Students from Silat adh Dahr village were unable to attend school for two days due to curfew imposed on the village (section 5).

• A general closure, effective since 22 April, on the northern areas of the West Bank (Nablus, Jenin, Tubas, Tulkarm and Qalqiliya) remains in effect (section 5).

1. Physical Protection

Deaths and Injuries

Palestinians: Deaths: 3; Injured: 41 (approximate)

Israelis: Deaths: 0; Injured: 10

Internationals: Deaths: 0; Injured: 3

Selected incidents:

• 4 May: During rock-throwing clashes in Bet Liqya, Ramallah, the IDF shot and killed two unarmed Palestinian boys (ages 14 and 15 years) with live ammunition. 4 May: At least 17 Palestinians (including six children), three Israelis and three international activists were injured during demonstrations throughout the week against Barrier construction in Bil’in village, west Ramallah District.

• 5 May: One Palestinian was injured when settlers from Kfar Tapu’akh settlement threw stones at Palestinian vehicles travelling on Road 505.

• 5 May: A 23-year-old Palestinian from Seida village, Tulkarm, died in an Israeli prison hospital in Ramla from injuries suffered during clashes between Palestinians and the IDF on 2 May in the village.

• 9 May: Eleven Palestinians and seven Israeli policemen were reported injured during clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, after restrictions on Palestinians entering the Old City and Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem were imposed.

• Throughout the week, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and their private property in the Old City of Hebron. Two Palestinians were hospitalised from injuries.

Sources: OCHA FCU, PRCS, UNRWA, WHO, IDF website, Israeli MFA, offices of governors.

2. Shelter and Property

People displaced/House demolitions/Demolition orders

Total houses/structures demolished: 0

Total residents affected: 0

Total partially-built houses/structures demolished: 0

West Bank:

• No incidents to report

The Gaza Strip:

• No incidents to report

Sources: OCHA FCU, UNRWA

3. Natural Resources

Land levelling/Requisitions/Tree Uprooting¹

Nablus/Jenin/Tubas Governorates:

• No incidents to report

Tulkarm Governorate:

• No incidents to report

Qalqiliya Governorate:

• 10 May: The IDF cancelled a land requisition order (T/56/04) issued on 23 May 2004 in Masha village. The order was for 5.4 dunums (0.54 hectares) of land.

Salfit Governorates:

• 10 May: The Palestinian DCL received an IDF land requisition order (T/22/05) for 14 dunums (1.4 hectares) in Deir Istiya, Salfit, for the construction of the Barrier in the Ariel settlement block area.

Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:

• 4 May: Israeli security forces uprooted at least 86 olive trees in Bil’in village as part of land levelling for Barrier construction. Most of the olive trees were replanted in a small area around a house. Around 128 dunums (12.8 hectares) of land belonging to the Palestinian owner of this house is now isolated west of the Barrier route and is inaccessible.

Hebron Governorate:

• During the week, land levelling continued south of As Samu town near Kharbet Zanuta in preparation for construction of the Barrier.

• 9 to 10 May: In the southwest part of the governorate between Al Burj and Ar Ramadin villages, Barrier construction resumed. Land on the projected route is also being levelled.

Bethlehem Governorate:

• Barrier construction resumed in Kallet an Numan. Approximately 40 olive trees have been uprooted.

• Work continued on the Barrier at the entrance to Bethlehem.

• 5 May: The IDF issued five military orders in Al Jaba’ village, Bethlehem ordering Palestinian residents to restore an area of approximately 500 dunums (50 hectares) located in Area C back to its original state – some 450 olive trees that were planted at the beginning of the 1990s would have to be uprooted.

Jerusalem Governorate:

North West Jerusalem

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

North Jerusalem:

• 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 also ongoing.

• Construction and land levelling continued east 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.

East Jerusalem:

• 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 Shufat Refugee camp and ‘Anata town.

South/Southeast Jerusalem:

• Barrier construction is nearly finished from Al ‘Eizariyya to Sur Bahir where construction is ongoing on the eastern and the southern sides of the village.

Jericho Governorate:

• No incidents to report

The Gaza Strip:

• No incidents to report

Sources: OCHA FCU, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, UNRWA, Palestinian DCL, Village Council

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

4. Facilitation of Humanitarian Assistance

Incidents involving safety and movement of ambulances and medical teams

West Bank:

Denial of access: 2

Delay (more than 30 minutes): 2

Shooting/Damage to Ambulance: 0

• 5 May: An UNRWA mobile health team travelling from Jenin to Barta’a ash Sharqiya was denied access at Imreiha (Reikhan) checkpoint.

• 5 May: A MSF health service team was delayed for one hour and 30 minutes at the Qarantina checkpoint in the Old City of Hebron. While the team was waiting inside the car, teenager settlers reportedly throw stones at the car.

• 5 and 7 May: In two separate incidents, access for PRCS ambulances was impeded at Az Za’ayyem checkpoint, near Jerusalem; in one incident, an ambulance was denied access and in the other incident, the ambulance was delayed for one hour and 20 minutes.

The Gaza Strip:

• No incidents to report.

Sources: OCHA FCU, WHO, PRCS, Palestinian MoH

5. Access and Movement for Civilians

A. Curfews

• 4 May: Al Fandaqumiya village, Jenin, for 10 hours

• 4 May: Silat adh Dhahr village, Jenin, for five hours

• 7 May: Silat adh Dahr village, Jenin, for two days

• 10 May: Huwwara village, Nablus, 10 hours

Sources: OCHA FCU, Village Councils, UNRWA, Palestinian DCL

B. Access to Education

West Bank:

• 5 May: All schools in Beit Liqya, Ramallah, were closed by Palestinian officials for three-day mourning period in protest of the killing of the two Palestinian boys by the IDF on 4 May.

• 7 May: Students from Silat adh Dahr village were unable to attend school for two days due to curfew imposed on the village.

The Gaza Strip:

• The majority of As Seafa pupils have left their homes in As Seafa for temporary accommodation outside this closed area for the school’s examination period. During the reporting period, the remaining 11 pupils living in As-Seafa were not able to reach their schools on time. They were delayed leaving through the As Seafa gate until late morning. Upon return, the pupils were delayed for four hours before being permitted to re-enter through the gate at 3.30pm.

Sources: OCHA FCU, UNRWA, UNICEF, Palestinian DCL

C. Access to Employment

West Bank:

Permits issued for the month of April: The general closure on the West Bank due to the Israeli Passover holiday was effective until 2 May. No Palestinian workers were allowed access to Israel through that date. The closure for the northern part of the West Bank (Nablus, Jenin, Tubas, Tulkarm and Qalqiliya) remains in effect.

The Gaza Strip:

• As of 4 May, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Labour, 5,443 worker permits, including 1,195 overnight permits have been issued. However, no workers were permitted into Israel during the week.

Sources: UNRWA, UNSCO, Palestinian Ministry of Labour, Palestinian DCL

D. Closures/Movement Restrictions:

A general closure, effective since 22 April, on the northern areas of the West Bank (Nablus, Jenin, Tubas, Tulkarm and Qalqiliya) remains in effect.

Jenin Governorate:

• No incidents to report

Nablus Governorate:

• Za’tara (Tapu’akh) checkpoint has been closed during the week for residents of the northern West Bank travelling south.

• 6 May: Shave Shomeron checkpoint was manned for several hours.

• 7 May: A commercial truck rented by UNRWA for transporting food parcels from Nablus to Salfit was delayed for one hour at Za’atara (Tapu’akh) checkpoint.

• 7 May: Huwwara checkpoint was closed for one hour after a suspicious bag was reportedly found on a Palestinian trying to cross.

• 10 May: The IDF removed an earth mound blocking Road 57 at Al Badhan Road, the road is open 24 hours for all traffic.

• Flying checkpoints have been reported throughout the week at the entrance of Zawata village and on the road connecting ‘Asira ash Shamaliya to Al Badhan village.

Tubas Governorate:

• 4 May: Delays and denials of access occurred at Tayasir checkpoint.

• A flying checkpoint was reported on the road connecting Tubas with ‘Aqqaba village.

Jenin Governorate:

• Flying checkpoints were reported throughout the week on Road 60 near Khomes settlement, at the entrance of Jaba’ village, the northern entrance of Jenin city, on Road 60 near Sanur settlement and at the entrance of Ya’bad town.

Qalqiliya Governorate:

• 8 May: The IDF closed ‘Azzun ‘Atma gate for two hours during the morning.

• Flying checkpoints were reported throughout the week at the entrances of Qalqiliya city (DCO), ‘Azzun, Habla tunnel and at Jit junction.

Salfit Governorate:

• 9 and 10 May: The IDF increased vehicular searches at Deir Ballut checkpoint delaying vehicular movement.

• Flying checkpoints were reported throughout the week at the entrances of Kafr ad Dik, Bruqin, Az Zawiya,Yasuf villages and on Road 505 near Kfar Tapu’akh settlement.

Tulkarm Governorate:

• At Tayba” Tulkarm checkpoint has been closed for Palestinians with permits since 22 April.

• 4 to 8 May: Kafriat checkpoint was closed, preventing movement in and out of Tulkarm city.

• Flying checkpoints were reported throughout the week at the entrances of Tulkarm city, Seida, Beit Lid, Deir al Ghusun villages and at the junctions of Far’un village and Enav settlement.

Hebron Governorate:

• In Hebron Governorate, security guards for the Barrier along with the IDF, prohibited Palestinian farmers from Deir al A’asal al Fauqa, Adh Dhahiriya and Al burj villages from reaching their land.

Bethlehem Governorate:

• Israeli settlers from Alon Shvut closed the only access road that leads to 20 dunums (2 hectares) of agricultural land belonging to farmers/residents of Khallet A’rfan

Ramallah/Al Bireh Governorates:

• No incidents to report

Jerusalem Governorate:

• 8 to 9 May: Israeli security forces prohibited Palestinians younger than 50 years of age from entering Al Aqsa mosque.

Jericho Governorate:

• Palestinian West Bank non-Jericho-District residents are not allowed access to and from Road 90 at the Yitav checkpoint.

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.

• During the week, two to three persons each day were prevented from entering the area despite having proper documentation.

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. Since 10 May 2004, males aged below 30 years who are Al Mawassi ID holders have been required to have prior coordination to pass though Al Tuffah checkpoint. Since 6 June 2004, prior coordination has been required for unmarried females with Al Mawassi IDs who are aged 18 to 25. 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.

• The IDF installed a watch tower at Al Tuffah checkpoint.

Al Maa’ni:

• 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 organisations into the area remains extremely 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.

Source: OCHA FCUs and UNRWA

6. Additional Protection Issues

West Bank:

• 3 May: (not reported last week). A settler from Kdumim settlement contaminated two agricultural water wells with chemicals. The wells belong to Palestinian farmers from Kafr Qaddum village, Qalqiliya. Two horses died after drinking the polluted water, according to Kafr Qaddum village council.

Gaza Strip:

• During the week, more than 14 homemade rockets and mortar shells were fired by Palestinians in the direction of the Israeli settlements and the nearby Israeli towns. No injuries were reported. Included in the incidents are reports that on 5 May, two homemade rockets were fired from Beit Hanoun in the direction of the western Negev, one of the rockets hit and damaged an empty building and the other rocket landed in an open field; and on 6 May an antitank rocket was fired in the direction of an Israeli school bus next to Kfar Darom settlement. The rocket did not hit the bus and no injures were reported.

• 4 May: The IDF discovered and detonated a 40-kilogram bomb north of Sufa crossing.

• 9 May: A group of armed Israeli settlers attacked one of the Palestinian communities inside Al Mawassi. No injuries were reported, however, two electricity pylons and a petrol reservoir were damaged as a result.

Searches/Arrests

Nablus/Jenin/Tubas

• Throughout the week, IDF search-and-arrest campaigns took place in Nablus city, Sanur and Burqin villages (Jenin).In total, 16 Palestinians were reported arrested.

Tulkarm/Qalqiliya/Salfit

• An IDF search-and arrest campaign took place in Deir al Ghusun (Tulkarm). Five Palestinians were reported arrested.

Ramallah /Al Bireh

• Throughout the week, IDF search-and-arrest campaigns took place in in Saffa, Bil’in, Umm Sharayet and Ramallah city. Seven Palestinian were reported arrested.

Hebron/Bethlehem

• Throughout the week, IDF search-and-arrest campaigns took place in al Fawwar, Dura, Hebron city in the Governorate of Hebron with four Palestinians arrested. In the Bethlehem Governorate, searches took place in Al 'Ubeidiya and Al Khadr; no arrests were reported.

Jerusalem/Jericho

• No incidents to report

Jericho:

• No incidents to report

The Gaza Strip

• 4 May: The IDF arrested two unarmed Palestinians east of Deir El Balah attempting to enter Israel.

Sources: OCHA FCUs, UNRWA, UNSECCORD, UNSCO, Palestinian DCLs, Palestinian Governors’ offices, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, IDF May 2005)

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