Occupied Palestinian Territories - Humanitarian Update, November 2011

Summary of monthly Humanitarian Monitor report produced by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

NOVEMBER OVERVIEW

The events of November continued to underscore the extreme vulnerability of certain segments of the Palestinian population in the oPt. Bedouin communities located in Area C of the West Bank are among the most vulnerable groups. More than 90 percent of this month's 40 demolitions targeted such communities, primarily in the Jordan Valley and in areas surrounding Jerusalem. Because of the Israeli-implemented zoning and planning regime, these communities' development has been curtailed for decades, their access to basic services as well as natural resources remains highly restricted, and the threat of demolitions of their homes is ever-present. Since the beginning of 2011, more than twice as many people were displaced in Area C due to the demolition of their homes compared to the same period in 2010.

In the Gaza Strip, access restrictions continue to be imposed by the Israeli military, in the context of the blockade. These include the ban on the transfer of goods from Gaza to the West Bank or Israel, which prior to the blockade accounted for 95 percent of Gaza's exports. With the start of the season for some cash crops, the Israeli authorities allowed the export of four truckloads of strawberries to European markets. This brings the volume of export since the beginning of the year to a total of 190 truckloads, or less than 2 percent of the volume of exports in 2005.

The restriction on fishermen's access to sea areas beyond three nautical miles from Gaza's shore, enforced by the Israeli navy since 2009, has had a severe impact on the livelihoods of Palestinians working in the fishing industry. This sardine season, which came to end this month, recorded a 90 percent decline in the overall catch compared to 2008, before the reduction in the accessible fishing areas. In the past three years, confinement to the allowed areas has led to overfishing and consequently to a depletion of fish breeding grounds in shallow coastal waters, and a reduction in the number of people able to gain a living from fishing activities.

On a more positive note, this month, the Israeli authorities approved 15 new building projects to be implemented by international organizations in Gaza, and allowed the entry of a limited supply of building materials for the reconstruction of ten private sector factories. As this is an exceptional measure, and addresses only a fraction of the overall need for these items, to be transported through legitimate crossings, the continuation of the general ban on the entry of basic building materials into Gaza remains a major problem. This restriction not only impedes the implementation of critical humanitarian projects, but is also the main factor behind tunnel activities, in which thousands of workers risk their lives. This month alone, three Palestinians died while working in the tunnels.

Recurrent cycles of hostilities in the Gaza Strip continue to put civilians at risk. In November the proportion of civilians among all casualties in Gaza (death and injuries combined) was 35 percent compared to 78 percent since the beginning of 2011. While the proportion of civilian casualties is lower than usual, the decline seems to be short lived: in a recent escalation between 8 and 11 December, civilians made up over 90 percent of casualties.

Following the October 2011 prisoner exchange, reports by the media and human rights groups indicate that some of the released prisoners face harassment by Israeli soldiers and death threats from Israeli settler groups. This raises protection concern for civilians affected by these threats and harassment.

Worryingly, humanitarian organizations working to mitigate the suffering of the most vulnerable in oPt, are facing significant funding shortages. Eleven months into 2011, only 55 percent of the Consolidated Appeal (CAP) has been funded, with five clusters (Education, Agriculture, Cash for Work, WASH, and Shelter) still at particularly low funding levels. As a result, organizations have been unable to meet their beneficiary case load. This is further compounded by the restrictions implemented by the Israeli authorities, which reduce the access of staff to, and the implementation of, projects in certain areas.

Until, Israel abides by its obligations under international law to ensure the protection of civilians and guarantee human rights in the oPt, donor support for projects included in the CAP will contribute to mitigating some of the worst effects of Israeli policies on the Palestinian population.

ISSUES IN FOCUS

Reports of Harassment of Released Palestinian Prisoners
Soldiers raid released prisoners homes, settler groups offer reward for killing of specific Palestinian prisoners
According to reports by the media and Palestinian human rights groups, a number of former Palestinian prisoners are facing harassment from Israeli soldiers and death threats by Israeli settler groups, following their release in the October 2011 exchange of prisoners between Israel and Hamas.

Affidavits gathered by the Palestinian human rights organization Al Haq, indicate that in November, Israeli forces conducted late night raids to the homes of at least four released prisoners, residing in the Jenin, Qalqiliya and Ramallah governorates. In each case, soldiers indicated that the prisoners were being watched and their activities being monitored. Several were threatened with re-arrest and punitive action. Two of the released prisoners were issued summons for interrogation.

Also since the release, media reports have indicated that certain settler groups have distributed flyers throughout the West Bank and Israel, as well as online, offering financial rewards for information on the whereabouts, or the killing, of a number of Palestinians, who were convicted of killing Israelis. Some media reports indicate that these ads have forced some released prisoners into hiding. On 19 November, a large group of settlers in Hebron attacked the home of a released prisoner, for whom a reward had been offered.

These events give rise to a number of protection concerns, particularly for the physical safety of the released prisoners and their families. As the occupying power, Israel is responsible for ensuring law and order and protecting the civilian population. However, a key factor underlying continued settler attacks on Palestinians and their property is the atmosphere of impunity surrounding settler violence, with Israeli forces frequently failing to stop attacks while they occur, and over 90 per cent of investigations, into complaints filed by Palestinians, closed without indictment. As of the date of publication, the Israeli authorities have not announced any investigation into, or measures taken against, the settlers' who have threatened the lives of the released prisoners.

These developments come in the context of the Israeli authorities' October 2011 release of 477 Palestinian prisoners, in exchange for the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, who had been held by Hamas since June 2006. The exchange was part of an agreement between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt. Over 300 of the released prisoners were serving life sentences. Around 200 of the prisoners were either expelled from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip (approximately 160) or were deported to Syria, Qatar, Jordan or Turkey (approximately 40). Others faced a range of restrictions on their movement, e.g. house arrest, ban on leaving town and some were required to report regularly to the Israeli authorities. A second, agreed stage of release, of around 550 additional Palestinian prisoners, should take place in the coming period.

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

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