OPT: Protection of civilians – OCHA Weekly report (24-30 October 2007)

Of note this week

Gaza Strip:

• The IDF killed 17 Palestinians including two children and one disabled man during military operations in the Gaza Strip. 25 others were injured including three women and five children, including a one year old and another three year old. One Israeli soldier was killed and four others were injured the military operations.

• 20 Qassam rockets and 42 mortar shells were fired towards Israel. No injuries were reported.

• Seven Palestinians were killed, including two women and two children, in an explosion of unknown cause. A female university student’s body was found three days after her kidnapping inside Gaza, (the background of the incident is unknown). Four others were injured in family disputes or reckless use of weapons.

• All UNRWA schools and a health care centre were evacuated in Beit Hanoun due to IDF operations in northern Gaza as a result of an IAF strike.

• According to the Israeli – Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) report of 28 October, Sufa crossing will be permanently closed. Sufa crossing has been serving as the primary alternative commercial crossing since the closure of Karni in mid-June.

• On 28 October, as part of its proposed sanctions on Gaza, Israel began reducing fuel shipments in the Gaza Strip in response to Qassam militant attacks by Palestinian militants.

West Bank:

• An Israeli settler ran over a 68 year old Palestinian on road 477 near Kafr Ad Dik village (Salfit governorate). The Palestinian was in the area to harvest his olive grove and was evacuated to Salfit city hospital for treatment

• Two demonstrations were held on 25 and 29 October in Ramallah by Palestinians demanding the release of the Hamas prisoners held in Israeli jails. The Palestinian police intervened to calm down the protest.

• Access into Jerusalem for Palestinians with West Bank IDs is now restricted to four checkpoints managed by private security guards. IDF delays at Qalandiya and Jaba’ checkpoints continue to be reported.

• UNRWA employees in Ad Daheisha refugee camp held a protest in front of the Agency’s headquarters in Bethlehem City demanding improved salaries and work conditions.

• The IDF displaced the Palestinian community of Qassa, located west of the Tarqumiya checkpoint immediately after the opening of a ‘Terminal’ on 28 October. Twenty five families (21 of whom are registered refugees) were removed from their dwellings (tents, caves and shacks) while their belongings and sheep were removed by IDF-contracted labourers, (Hebron).

FULL REPORT: