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OPT: Protection of civilians weekly report, 01 - 07 Apr 2009

Attachments

New Developments since 7 April

On 8 April 2009, clashes erupted when approximately 200 Israeli settlers (some armed) from Bat Ayin settlement, west of Bethlehem city, approached the Palestinian village of Safa. Reports indicate that Israeli troops and Israeli settlers opened-fire towards Palestinians participating in an exchange of stone-throwing with Israeli settlers. Eleven Palestinians were injured with live ammunition, including one seriously, and four with rubber-coated metal bullets. At least 23 cases of asphyxiation due to tear gas were reported among Palestinians and were treated in the field. Israeli troops managed to separate the two groups and re-occupied a vacant house previously used as an observation post. Presently, the situation is calm and access to and from the village faces no obstacle. The Israeli army remains posted in the house.

West Bank

On 2 April, an unknown Palestinian man entered the Israeli settlement of Bat Ayin, west of Bethlehem city and killed a 13-year-old child and wounded a seven-year-old child. The assailant reportedly fled to the nearby Palestinian village of Safa. The Israeli army then entered the village, which has an approximate population of 350, imposed a nine-hour curfew and ordered all males 16 years and older to gather for interrogation. Six arrests were made. Israeli troops closed all entry points and prevented residents from leaving the village until 6 April, when Israeli troops withdrew. Troops returned the same day after settlers from Bat Ayin opened fire at a distance. No injuries were reported. Other access restrictions were reported in the area, including multiple flying checkpoints and the closure of the gate to the nearby town of Beit Ummar for three consecutive days.

Overall, Israeli security forces killed one Palestinian and injured 35 others (including 15 children) during the week. On 7 April, n East Jerusalem, Israeli forces in the vicinity of a house demolition in Sur Bahir (see below) shot and killed a 20-year-old Palestinian male who, according to the Israeli security forces, had attempted to run them down. Three members of the Israeli security forces were lightly wounded. Incidents in which Palestinians were injured during the week included: during anti-Barrier demonstrations (8); settler violence incidents (9); at flying checkpoints (4); following stone-throwing at military jeeps (4 children); during search and arrest operations (5) and other incidents (5).

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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