Protection of civilians – OCHA Weekly report – OPT (9-15 May 2007)

Protection of Civilians Weekly Report

9 – 15 May 2007

Of note this week

Intense factional violence across the Gaza Strip erupted following the killing on 13 May of a senior Fatah leader. Heavy armed clashes occurred on Gazan streets between Fatah forces and Hamas and its affiliated Executive Support Force (ESF) and rival factions established checkpoints, searched vehicles and arrested/abducted people. As at 15:00 hours 15 May, 18 Palestinians were killed and more than 80 injured, including a four year-old girl in inter-factional violence, armed family feuds and reckless use of weapons/handling explosives.

Gaza Strip: 

Palestinian/Israeli violence continues: 

One Palestinian man was killed and three Palestinians injured when the IDF opened fire from the border fence on two separate incidents;

23 Qassam rockets and 11 mortar shells were fired from Gaza towards southern Israel and the IDF Kissufim military outpost. The Israeli media reported that at least four Israelis were injured in Sderot although exact casualty figures are currently unconfirmed.

An IAF helicopter fired a rocket at a suspected rocket-launch site northwest of Beit Hanoun. No injuries reported. The IDF detonated a roadside bomb found near the Kissufim outpost and also responded to mortar shells fired towards the base with heavy machine gunfire on three separate occasions;

The IDF vessels opened fire twice at Palestinian fishing boats west of the Al Waha resort in Beit Lahia and west of Rafah. No injuries were reported although two fishermen were detained;

The IDF arrested five Palestinians in the north and south of the Gaza Strip, including two Palestinians during a house-to-house search operation near Sufa under heavy air cover.

West Bank:

– Strikes amongst government workers continue in the West Bank (teachers, healthcare practitioners and Bethlehem municipality workers).

– A closure around the City of Jerusalem was imposed by Israeli authorities during their celebrations of 40 years of “reunification of Jerusalem”.

Palestinian and Israeli conflict related casualties ¹ : 

Physical Protection – conflict related casualties

Gaza Strip:

·   9 May: Two Palestinians farmers, including a 92 year-old man, were injured when IDF soldiers stationed at the border fence south of Karni open fire at the direction of farmers working near Johr Ed-Dik.

·   14 May: A 23 year-old Palestinian man died of wounds sustained after he was shot injured and arrested by IDF soldiers on 31 January when he approached the border fence in a suspected attempt to cross into Israel. The IDF had transported him to an Israeli hospital for treatment, where he later died.

·   15 May: A 45 year-old Hamas member was shot and killed and another injured by IDF soldiers stationed at the border fence east of Gaza City as they were approaching the fence.

Other incidents (not involving casualties):

·   10 May: IDF vessels opened fire sporadically for ten minutes at the direction of Palestinian fishing boats west of the Al Waha resort in Beit Lahia. The boats returned to the seashore. No injuries were reported.

·   10 May: One mortar shell was fired from southeast of Bureij Camp towards the Green Line, but it landed in the Palestinian area. No injuries were reported.

·   10 May: IDF discovered and detonated a roadside bomb near the IDF Kissufim military east of Khan Younis. No injuries were reported.

·   13 May: An IAF helicopter fired a rocket at a suspected rocket-launch site near the agricultural school northwest of Beit Hanoun. No injuries were reported.

·   13 May: IDF vessels opened fire for ten minutes in the direction of Palestinian fishing boats situated west of Rafah. The fishing boats returned to seashore. No injuries or damages were reported.

West Bank:

·  8 May (previously unreported): At 11:00 am in Isawiya (Jerusalem), Palestinians stoned Israeli policemen during the demolition of a Palestinian house, injuring three policemen.

·   9 May: A 15 year-old Palestinian boy and a 29 year-old Palestinian woman were injured in Camp No. 1 (Nablus) by live ammunition during an IDF search and arrest campaign. The injury to the woman who was in her seventh month of pregnancy caused her to lose her unborn child (the unborn child is not included in the weekly totals).

·   9 May: An international peace activist (age: late 20's), an Israeli peace activist (age: early 30s) and three Palestinian men (age: 42, 30, 28 years) were injured when IDF soldiers physically assaulted them while trying to remove the cement blocks blocking the main entrance to the town of Adh Dhahiriya (Hebron). The Israeli activist was later arrested. The Israeli Defence Minister has reportedly stated that he would open an investigation into the incident.

·   11 May: A Palestinian family of three (27 year-old husband, 23 year-old wife and their eight month old infant) suffered gas inhalation at Al Badhan checkpoint (Nablus) and were transported to hospital after IDF fired tear gas canisters to disperse people who gathered near the checkpoint.

·   11 May: Seven Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated metal bullets fired by the IDF and Israeli Border Police during a demonstration organised by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of the Barrier in Bil’in (Ramallah). Further cases of tear gas inhalation were reported (not included in weekly totals). The IDF detained 11 Palestinians during the demonstration.

·   12 May: A 45 year-old Palestinian woman from Far’ata (Qalqiliya) was physically assaulted by Israeli settlers from Gil’ad outpost while working her land.

·   12 May: A 28 year-old Palestinian man from the hamlet of Susiya, south of the town of Yatta (Hebron), was injured when two Israeli settlers from the settlement of Suseya beat him while he was shepherding his sheep in his land located near the settlement.

·   13 May: A 30 year-old Palestinian man was injured in the Barqan Israeli Industrial Area (Salfit) by live ammunition when the Israeli security guard opened fire at him. Reportedly the man had tried to take the guard’s weapon.

·   14 May: A 24 year-old Palestinian man was injured in ‘Askar refugee camp (Nablus) by live ammunition during an IDF search and arrest campaign.

·   15 May: A 16 year-old Palestinian boy was injured in Jenin refugee camp (Jenin) by live ammunition during an IDF search and arrest campaign in the camp.

Israel:

•   14 May: A taxi driver from East Jerusalem was killed in Tel Aviv by an Israeli citizen who targeted him because he was an Arab.

2.   Physical Protection – other incidents involving casualties²

Gaza Strip: 

·   9 May: A PA National Security Force (NSF) officer was shot and injured when he reportedly broke into the Palestinian Communication Company (PCC) building in Gaza City for unknown reasons. Following the incident, his family members residing in Khan Younis set ablaze two PCC vehicles and threw stones at the PCC building.

·   10 May: A Palestinian bystander was injured during an exchange of gunfire between PA police and gunmen from local family in Gaza City.

·   10 May: A middle-aged Palestinian man was shot and injured by unknown gunmen in Nuseirat Camp. The motive behind the incident is unknown.

·   10 May: A four year-old Palestinian girl was injured during an internal dispute among local family members in Khan Younis.

·   10 May: A Fatah-affiliated Jenin Brigades member was injured when unknown gunmen opened fire on a Fatah base located on Salah Ed-Din road in Bureij Camp.
·   11 May: Two Palestinian bystanders were injured when unknown gunmen opened fire on an Executive Support Force (ESF) military base in Beit Lahia.

·   11 May: Five Palestinians (two PA security officers, two Hamas members and female bystander) were injured during armed clashes between PA NSF and the Hamas affiliated ESF at Jala’ street in Gaza City.
·   11 May: A Palestinian man (not affiliated with the security forces) accidentally shot and injured himself while handling his pistol in Deir El Balah.
·   11 May: A Palestinian teenage boy was shot and injured during a celebratory shooting at a wedding party in Khan Younis.

·   13 May: A 34 year-old Fatah leader was shot and killed by Hamas gunmen in Jabalia Camp. Following the incident, Fatah members shot and injured a Hamas member.

·   13 May: A 34 year-old Palestinian bystander was shot and killed when the family members of Fatah leader who was killed in Jabalia earlier in the day demonstrated in protest to the killing by shooting heavily into the air.

·   13 May: A Palestinian teenage boy was shot and injured in a family feud in Nuseirat Camp.

·   13 May: A Palestinian man (not affiliated with the security forces) accidentally shot and injured himself while he was handling his weapon in Khan Younis.

·   13 May: A stray bullet injured an ESF member during training at their base. 

·   10 May: Two Palestinian men were injured during an armed family dispute between two local families in Rafah.

·   13 May: Two Palestinian people were injured during the funeral procession of Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades leader in Jabalia amidst heavy ceremonial shooting that took place.
·   13 May: A Hamas member was injured when unknown gunmen opened fire in his direction in Jabalia Camp. Hamas members accused Fatah of being behind the incident.

·   13 May: Three Palestinians were injured including one in serious condition, in an explosion in Fakhoura area in Jabalia Camp. Local reports indicate that PFLP members were preparing an explosive device.

·  13 May: Two Palestinians affiliated with Hamas (both aged 25 years) were killed and a third injured during intense armed clashes between Hamas and Fatah in Gaza City.

·   13 May: A total of 14 Palestinians, including five PA NSF members and an unknown number of bystanders, were injured when armed factional clashes expanded to the Shejayeh neighbourhood of Gaza City. Sporadic clashes continued after both factions established checkpoints and searched passing vehicles and arrested several people.

·   13 May: A 15 year-old Palestinian boy was killed during an internal dispute between two local families in Nuseirat Camp. It was also reported that his home was set ablaze.

·   13 May: Three employees working in Electricity Company were injured when unknown gunmen opened fire at a company vehicle on Salah Ed-Din road in Al Maghazi Camp.
·   13 May: Three PA NSF members were injured when unknown gunmen travelling in a vehicle opened fire at them at the main entrance of Deir El Balah. 

2 Casualties recorded in this section relate to Palestinian inter-factional fighting, family and community disputes and reckless use of weapons. Also reported in this section are casualties indirectly related to the conflict such as incidents involving Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), traffic accidents between Israeli and Palestinians in the oPt and deaths resulting from delay in receiving medical treatment at a checkpoint or during a military operation/curfew. These casualties are not recorded in the total in Section 1.

·   13 May: A Palestinian teenage boy was injured in Rafah when a tunnel located under the borderline between Egypt and and Gaza Strip collapsed.

·   14 May: Three Hamas members were injured during armed clashes between the ESF and Fatah members on Al Whda Street in Gaza City.

·   14 May: A PA Palestinian Security member in the Tal El Hawwa area in Gaza City shot a Hamas activist in the leg.

·   14 May: A 25 year-old Palestinian man was killed and another bystander injured during armed clashed between Fatah and Hamas gunmen in Khan Younis.

·   14 May: Two bodyguards (aged 22 and 24 years) of a Fatah – Al Aqsa Brigades leader bodyguards were killed and 14 others injured when Hamas members targeted the home of the leader with RPGs and heavy shooting.

·   14 May: A PA Preventive Security member was abducted and shot and injured by unknown gunmen in Beit Lahia. Fatah members accused Hamas of being behind the incident.

·   14 May: A PA Preventive Security member was shot and injured by Hamas gunmen in Jabalia.

·   14 May: A 32 year-old Palestinian man was shot killed by unknown gunmen in Khan Younis.

·   15 May: Two Hamas and Fatah members (aged 24 and 47 years) were killed and 12 others injured when the ESF broke into the PA NSF base east of Shejayeh in Gaza City.

·   15 May: Seven PA security forces members (aged 25, 27, 28, 30 and 32 years and two with age not reported) were killed when unknown masked gunmen fired a missile at their jeep. Thejeep overturned on the Eastern road (Karni netzarim). The gunmen then opened fire on the jeep.

·   15 May: Four people were injured when an IED detonated in a home owned by a Hamas member in Gaza City. Local reports indicate that he was preparing an explosive device.

Other incidents (not involving casualties):

·   9 May: A local family gunmen set ablaze the Palestinian Tele-Communications damaging the office.

·   10 May: Unknown gunmen abducted a PA Colonel while he was travelling in his vehicle in Nuseirat Camp. The motive behind the abduction is unknown.

·   11 May: An exchange of gunfire erupted between the ESF and the local family members when the ESF requested the family to stop shooting heavily in the air during a wedding celebration. No injuries were reported.

·   12 May: A roadside bomb was detonated under a jeep owned by a PA police officer in Jabalia Camp. The Jeep was damaged although no injuries were reported. 

·   12 May: Unknown gunmen travelling in a vehicle opened fire at the PA NSF east of Al Maghazi Camp. PA NSF members responded with gunfire although no injuries were reported.

·   13 May: Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade’s members abducted a Hamas member in Bureij Camp. Following the incident, the ESF surrounded the home of Al Aqsa Brigades member and heavy shooting erupted for approximately 15 minutes. No injuries were reported.

·   13 May: Armed clashes erupted between the ESF and Fatah members in the Khuza’a area in Khan Younis.

·   14 May: Armed clashes resumed between the ESF and PA NSF in Deir El Balah. It was reported that several RPGs were fired at the PA National Security base although no injuries were reported.

·   15 May: 15 masked gunmen broke into an UNRWA installation in Gaza City in an attempted to steal the commodities using a skip-lift. One of the guards informed nearby neighbours who pursued the gunmen before they fled the premises. Minor damage was reported.

West Bank:

·   9 May: A 35 year-old Palestinian man was killed in Nablus city (Nablus) during a family dispute.

·   12 May: A 26 year-old Palestinian man was killed in Hajja vlliage (Qalqiliya) during a family dispute.

·   12 May: A 31 year-old Palestinian man was injured in Qalqiliya city (Qalqiliya) when a group of masked men opened fire at him.

Other incidents (not involving casualties):

·   10 May to date: The UNRWA health clinic and the camp service office in Camp No.1 (Nablus) remains closed after Palestinians fired into the air over a dispute between a Palestinian refugee family and the UNRWA camp office on a shelter case.

Shelter and Property ³ 

·   9 May: The IDF demolished a house it surrounded in the village of Ash Shawawra (Bethlehem) in pursuit of a Palestinian man reportedly on their ‘wanted’ list (the owner of the house). Eight Palestinians were displaced including six children by the demolition. Twenty sheep also were killed as a result of the demolition as they were in the basement of the home at the time.

·   9 May: The IDF demolished an animal pen in the town of Al Walaja (Bethlehem) which is surrounded on all sides by the Barrier for reportedly being built without a permit.

·   10 May: The IDF damaged the doors of five stores in Qalqiliya city (Qaliqiliya). The IDF came to search the premises reportedly for stolen car parts but the stores were closed.

Other/ongoing incidents (not involving demolitions/property damage): 

·   9 May: The IDF occupied a house in Deir Istiya village (Salfit) and converted it into an observation post for four hours. The IDF held the family in one room during this period.

·   12 May: The IDF issued 11 "Stop-Building" orders against houses in Khirbet Salama and Fuqeiqis, in the suburbs of the town of Dura (Hebron) due to being built in Area C without permits.

·   Ongoing incidents:

– 25 April to date: The IDF continues to occupy the roof of an uninhabited four-storey Palestinian building in Huwwara village (Nablus) and converted it into an observation post to monitor Road 60.

4. Natural Resources

Land levelling/Requisitions/Tree Uprooting⁴ Nablus Governorate:

Ongoing incidents:

– Since 15 January 2007 the IDF have continued to level eight dunums of land near Huwwara checkpoint to expand the checkpoint. The land belongs to Palestinians from Burin village and was earlier requisitioned on 10 July 2005 (Military Order T/1 06/05).

Jenin Governorate: 

No incidents to report. Tubas Governorate:

9 May: The IDF issued a requisition order (T/15/04), requisitioning 338 dunums of land from Bardala village, Tubas. The land is located on the eastern side of the Barrier in the closed areas (between the Barrier and the Green Line). The reason stipulated for the requisition was security purposes. This land had previously been fenced by the IDF, although no military order had been issued prior to this one.

Tulkarm Governorate: 

Ongoing incidents:

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

3   This section only includes incidents related to shelter and property caused by the Israeli authorities (IDF, Border Police, Civil Administration etc) and Israeli settlers. Incidents caused by Palestinian-Palestinian internal violence are not included.

4 dunums = 1 acre; 10 dunums = 1 hectare

  Qalqiliya Governorate: 

9 May: The IDF issued an amendment and continuation of a previous requisition order (T/41/2002), requisitioning 369 dunums of land belonging to Palestinians from Mas-ha and Sanniriya villages. The previous requisition order was for 480 dunums of land. Ongoing incidents:

–   Barrier construction: land levelling and construction work continue near Immatin village, between ‘Azzun and Kafr Thulth and between Azzun and Kafr Laqif.

Salfit Governorate: 

No incidents to report. 

Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate: 

Ongoing incidents:

–  Barrier construction:

·   Construction continues between Kharbatha al Misbah and Bil’in and is in the final stages in the section between Beit ‘Ur al Fauqa and At Tira villages.

·   The Barrier construction and what is called by the IDF the ^“ special security arrangement” around Ateret settlement is complete. A fence now encircles the settlement on land earlier requisitioned by the IDF and belonging to Palestinians from Atara and Umm Safa villages.

·   The last section of the Barrier in Beit Sira village is complete between Beit Sira and Makkabim settlement. A 400-metre section between the village and Beit Nuba is under construction and a gate is being installed.

·   Following a decision by the Israeli High Court approving a new route of the Barrier in ‘Abud, construction resumed parallel to bypass Road 465, as well as between ‘Abud, Ofarim and Beit Arye settlements.

–   Construction of ^‘fabric of life’ roads:

·   Construction continues of a new road between Rantis and Shuqba. The road is parallel to bypass Road 465 (now primarily for Israeli use and to form part of the Barrier around Beit Arye and Ofarim settlements) and construction is proceeding very quickly. This road is part of the Israeli plan to create alternative roads for Palestinians or “fabric of life roads”.

·   Construction continues of a road between Beit Liqya and Beit ‘Anan. This road is being constructed by the Israelis on Palestinian land as part of the “fabric of life roads” plan.

·   Construction of a road between Beit ‘Ur al Fauqa and Tira via an underpass under Road 443 is continuing. This road is the third of the so-called “fabric of life roads” that are being constructed by the Israeli authorities to alternate roads closed for Palestinians due to the closure/ Barrier in the Jerusalem area.

Jerusalem Governorate: 

Ongoing incidents: 

–  Barrier construction:

·   Construction continues along the projected route in the Jerusalem governorate. Exceptions to this are northeast of Al 'Eizariya towards Ma’ale Adummim settlement. Construction continues along a 3 km stretch of the Barrier south of Ma’ale Adummim and Kedar but has stopped since 3 March 2006 pending a court case.

·   Construction near Ar Ram checkpoint between Dahiyat Al Bareed and Atarot is ongoing. Only one detour between the neighbourhoods of Ar Ram and Dahiyat Al Bareed remains possible due to the continued construction. Even pedestrians have been stopped going through these areas this week and clearly the Barrier will soon seal off this neighbourhood entirely from al Ram and the West Bank, encompassing it into Jerusalem. The once open area through the wall, is now a ‘Gate’ sealed off with a large iron structure. This week, the Iron Gate was open some days, while further construction work was carried out on others parts of the wall in Dahiyet al Bareed. Vehicles use the rough road a few metres beyond the gate, when it is closed. Construction of the Barrier in this neighbourhood is progressing at a rapid pace.

– The construction of a road barrier continues on Road 1, east of Az Za’ayyem. Palestinians with Jerusalem ID cards driving to Jerusalem now have to drive south to Ma’ale Adummim and then return through Az Za’ayyem checkpoint.

Construction of an Israeli police station in E1, or East 1, an area north of Ma’ale Adumimm and Road 1 within Jerusalem governorate and the West Bank is ongoing.

The road between Anata and Al ‘Eizariya is under construction (Road 70). Another road (Road 80) is planned that will link Abu Dis to Road 1 east of the planned Barrier around Ma’ale Adummim. The road will be open for Palestinians only.

Jericho Governorate: 
No incidents to report. Bethlehem Governorate:

9 May: The IDF prevented access through the Tunnels Checkpoint (Bethlehem) between 08:00 and 11:00 hours after their was shooting in the area.

Ongoing incidents:

–   Barrier construction: 

·   Construction continues next to Al Khadr Boys School along the eastern side of Road 60 adjacent to the school playground.
·   Land levelling continues in the section of Road 60 between the Palestinian village of Al Khadr and Al Nashshash (southern entrance of Bethlehem city). Additional sections of the Barrier have been erected in this section during the reporting period.

·   Land levelling continues west of Wadi Rahhal village and in the vicinity of Har Gilo and Efrata settlements for the construction of the Barrier. 

– Paving continues on the side of Tunnels checkpoint to expand the site. Extensive land levelling has taken place on both sides of the road leading to Beit Jala at the junction with Road 60.

– Land levelling and digging for the construction of the tunnel near Al Khadr village has been accelerated. Land levelling is also taking place along the western side of Road 60 leading to the western villages.

– Work continues on the road leading to the Talita Khoumy School. A one-metre high road barrier was installed and land levelling has continued on both sides of the road.

– Land levelling continues for the construction of the new terminal next to Al Jab’a checkpoint.

– Construction work at Nu'man terminal is ongoing.

– Land levelling is on-going east of the Gush Etzion checkpoint. 

Hebron Governorate: 

14 May: The IDF closed down the gate leading to Al Fawwar Camp (Hebron) for more that one hour to Palestinian traffic.

Ongoing incidents: 

Barrier construction: construction continues west of Eshkolot settlement.

–   Land levelling, including paving continues west of the checkpoint of Tarqumiya for a new commercial checkpoint.

– A Palestinian internal road (parallel to Road 35) connecting Hebron city and the towns of Idna and Tarqumia remains closed to Palestinian traffic.

Gaza Strip:

9 May: An IDF foot patrol backed by a bulldozer and a tank entered 100 metres into the Palestinian area north of Beit Lahia to conduct a levelling and excavation operation.
11 May: Two I DF tanks and two bulldozers moved from the border fence and entered 100 metres into the Palestinian area east of Maghazi Camp to conduct a levelling and excavating operation.

5. Access and Movement for Civilians

a)  Curfew

No incidents of curfew were reported.

b)  Access to education 

13-15 May: The IDF and Israeli Police came on time to escort Palestinian students to and from their homes in Tuba and Magyar Al Abid to their elementary school in At Tuwani (south Hebron).On other days during the reporting period students did not go to school due to the strike by PA teachers. The escort has been provided since 2004 to protect the students from attacks by Israeli settlers from the Ma’on settlement.

c)  Access to employment

Ongoing incidents: 

– Since 12 March 2006, Palestinian workers from the Gaza Strip have been prevented from entering Israel.

– In the West Bank, all Palestinians must apply directly to the DCL offices in the Jerusalem peripheries to obtain Israeli permits. The criteria for people to be eligible for an Israeli permit are similar for both workers and traders; a Palestinian should be above 35 years, married with a child and with no security file. Criteria to apply for a work permit inside Atarot industrial zone is slightly more relaxed; a person should be above 21 years old, married with a child and no security file.

d)   Closures/movement restrictions Nablus Governorate:

10  and 11 May: The IDF closed Al Badhan checkpoint for several hours on 10 May. Long queues and delays were reported at the checkpoint when it was open. On 11 May the IDF used teargas to control hundreds of Palestinians waiting at both sides of the checkpoint. A family of three were taken to hospital suffering tear gas inhalation.

May: The IDF once again closed the main entrance of Al Lubban ash Sharqiya village with a road block and built up the earth mounds alongside Road 60 near the village. Ongoing incidents:

– Since 29 April 2007, the IDF closed the southern entrance of Qaryut village with an earth mound. The road connects the village with Road 60 and the water filling point for the village. Palestinians are now forced to take a long detour to reach the filling point.

– Since 28 March 2007, the IDF closed Shave Shomron checkpoint for all Palestinians, ambulances, UN and international organisations.

Jenin Governorate: 

14 and 15 May: The IDF closed Mevo Dotan checkpoint on Road 585 and prevented Palestinians farmers from Ya’bad from reaching their land. The IDF demanded permits from the farmers to allow them to cross.

Ongoing incidents:

– Since 30 August 2006, the IDF have allowed 40 commercial trucks (with a freight load of under two tonnes) to transport food products to Barta’a enclave. A list with the plate numbers of the trucks is present at the checkpoint. Other materials still require prior coordination.

Tubas Governorate: 

No incidents to report.

Tulkarm Governorate:

12   May: The IDF closed ‘Anabta checkpoint for several hours in the evening due to construction work near the checkpoint.

Qalqiliya Governorate: 

No incidents to report. 

Salfit Governorate: 

Ongoing incidents: 

– The IDF continues to close the gate at the northern entrance of Kafr ad Dik.

Ramallah / Al Bireh Governorate:

No incidents to report. 

Bethlehem Governorate:   

11 May: Israeli settlers from the Gush Etzion area prevented Palestinian land owners from Al Khadr town from accessing their land located to the west of Road 60. The Israeli settlers have previously prevented access on 4 May.

 Hebron Governorate: 

9 May: Palestinians from Adh Dhahiriya town along with international and Israeli activists temporarily opened the closure at the entrance of the town on Road 60. The opening was re-closed by the IDF later.

Ongoing incidents:

–   Despite an Israeli High Court ruling of 14 December 2006 requiring the dismantling of the Road Barrier along Road 317, the Road Barrier is still present and no attempts to remove it have been carried out. Rather, the IDF have closed some of the gaps Palestinian herders used to use to reach their lands.

Jerusalem Governorate: 

No incidents to report. 

Jericho Governorate/Jordan Valley: 

10 May: The IDF erected a flying checkpoint daily along the Dead Sea road to prevent all Palestinian vehicular and pedestrian movements into the Dead Sea area. Palestinians with West Bank IDs are not allowed into the area except with permits to work inside settlements.

Ongoing incidents:

–   Since 26 April 2007, access of Palestinians to the Jordan Valley improved. Movement from the West Bank continues to be controlled through the four main checkpoints – Tayasir, Hamra, Ma’ale Efraim and Yitav – however, a permit is no longer required to enter the Jordan Valley for West Bank residents. Access is only possible with public transportation as West Bank private vehicles continue to be prohibited from entering the Jordan Valley.

– Since 9 January 2007, Bisan checkpoint has been open for Palestinian merchants from the Jordan Valley and Jericho to export their agricultural produce into Israel using a back-to-back system. Palestinians from the West Bank in possession of BMC cards (trader permits) in addition to an Israeli permit, are allowed through this checkpoint into Israel. Palestinians working for international organisations continue to be prohibited from using Bisan checkpoint.

– Since 14 September 2006, the IDF announced that only Palestinians with Jericho residency and Jerusalem ID and residents of Bethlehem and Hebron holders would be able to exit via the Jericho DCO checkpoint, forcing all others to either request a permit or travel on the Al Mu’arrajat old road to reach the rest of the West Bank. Palestinians employed by international organisations, humanitarian workers and residents of Abu Dis, Ash Sheikh Sa'd, Al 'Eizariya, Az Za'ayyem and As Sawahira village are allowed to exit Jericho via the DCO checkpoint.

Gaza Strip 

During the reporting period: 

– Erez crossing was partially open for the movement of diplomats, international humanitarian workers, critical medical cases and Palestinian traders throughout the week (see appendix for daily log of movement). The crossing remains closed since 12 March 2006 for Palestinian workers.

– Rafah crossing was open two out of seven days this week (see appendix for daily log of movement).

– Karni was open on five out of six scheduled operating days (the crossing is scheduled to close on Saturdays and on 15 May the crossing was closed at the request of the PA due to the internal violence).

– Sufa crossing was open on four out of five scheduled operating days (the

crossing is scheduled to close on Friday and Saturdays and on 15 May the

crossing was closed at the request of the PA due to the internal violence). – Kerem Shalom was open one day this week (13 May).

– Nahal Oz energy pipelines were open on five out of six scheduled operating days (the crossing is scheduled to close on Saturdays and on 15 May the crossing was closed at the request of the PA due to the internal violence).

–   Gaza fishermen are permitted to fish up to six nautical miles off the coastline.

Ongoing incidents:

–   Following Israel’s unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip in September 2005, the IDF announced that Palestinians should keep a distance of at least 150 metres from the perimeter fence along the eastern and northern borders of the Gaza Strip

– On 28 December 2005, the IDF declared the former northern settlement bloc to be a ‘no-go’ zone. Officially, entry into the area for the 250 residents and international organisations requires prior coordination with the IDF, however this is not enforced.

  

5 This section only includes search, arrests and detentions conducted by the Israeli authorities. Arrests, detentions etc by Palestinian authorities or during internal Palestinian violence are not included.

6 On 10 May an IDF undercover unit moved from the border fence and entered 300 metres into the Palestinian area north of Beit Lahia. The IDF arrested three Palestinians before withdrawing across the Green Line. On 10 May two IDF military jeeps moved from an IDF military outpost near Sufa crossing and entered 300 metres into the Palestinian area south of the crossing. IDF soldiers conducted a house-to-house search operation under cover of heavy helicopter gunfire before arresting two Palestinians.  On 14 May an IDF coast guard vessels pursued and opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats west of Beit Lahia.  The IDF arrested two fishermen who were later released.