Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

oPt

OPT: Protection of civilians weekly report, 08 - 14 Jul 2009

Attachments

KEY DEVELOPMENTS AFTER TUESDAY, 14 July 2009

- On 15 July Israeli authorities demolished 15 tents and animal barracks belonging to five Bedouin families (about 45 people, including 28 children) along the road that links the Ramallah and Jericho governorates.

- Israeli authorities closed down the Nidal Center for Community Development, in the Old City of Jerusalem for unclear reasons on 15 July. The center's director was detained and the center, which is aimed at community mobilization and voluntarism, was ordered to remain closed until 11 August.

West Bank

Palestinian casualties remain below average

Nine Palestinians were injured by Israeli security forces during this week, two more than the week before and less than half the weekly average of 22 Palestinian injuries during the first half of 2009. Five of the injuries occurred during home demolitions in East Jerusalem (See demolition and displacement section), the remaining four injuries, including three children, occurred during weekly anti-Barrier demonstrations held in Ni'lin and Bil'in villages. In Bil'in for the first time in months the Israeli army used socalled "skunk bombs" - a foul-smelling liquid which is sprayed on the protesters - to disperse the crowd.

Israeli security forces arrested 52 Palestinians in 93 search operations during the week, respectively 22% and 17% less than the weekly averages of the first half of 2009. The bulk of this week's arrests (22) and searches (77) took place in the northern governorates.

In addition, Palestinian security forces arrested 29 Palestinians allegedly affiliated to Hamas, compared to a weekly average of 25 in the first half of 2009.

Demolitions and displacement continue

In the East Jerusalem neighborhoods of Beit Hanina and Silwan, Israeli authorities demolished a house and part of another house for lack of building permits. In Beit Hanina, seven refugees, including three children were displaced and an elderly woman and a young man were injured. In Silwan, 17 refugees, including twelve children, lost part of their living space when Israeli authorities demolished a bedroom and a living room of a home. A Palestinian woman and two of her sons were injured while trying to resist the demolition. In addition, a Palestinian was forced to demolish one of the two rooms of his house in the Old City. Six people were affected, including four children who used to sleep in the demolished room.

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.