In the area of Masafer Yatta (Hebron), Israeli forces leveled around 800 dunums of land for unknown reasons. The land was cultivated with wheat and barley for grazing, in an area located between the communities of Jinba Mirkez, Halaweh, Khirbet al Fakheit and Khirbet al Majaz. These are among 14 Palestinian communities in the Masafer Yatta area designated by the Israeli authorities since the 1980’s, as a closed military zone for training, also referred to as the “918 firing zone”. At least 1,300 people currently living in this area are at continuous risk of forcible transfer.<\/p><\/div>\n
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Approximately 18 per cent of the West Bank has been designated as a closed military zone for training, where around 5,000 Palestinians reside in 38 communities<\/a>. <\/span>According to an Israeli media report, in early 2014, a senior officer from the IDF Central Command confirmed that the frequency and scope of military trainings has increased dramatically in recent times, particularly in the Jordan Valley, and that such exercises contribute to the prevention of “illegal building.”<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
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<\/p>\n \n GAZA STRIP<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n \n\n\n\n No injuries reported in the Access Restricted Areas (ARA)<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n Incidents involving Israeli forces opening fire into the Access Restricted Areas (ARA) on land and at sea continued on a daily basis, with at least 29 such incidents reported during the week, none of which resulted in injuries. In at least ten incidents, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats reportedly sailing within the Israeli declared six-nautical-mile (NM) fishing limit, forcing them ashore.<\/p><\/div>\n \n In two incidents on land, Israeli tanks and bulldozers entered approximately 150 meters into Gaza, northeast of Khan Younis, and east of Rafah, and leveled land.<\/p><\/div>\n \n During the week, Israeli forces arrested five Palestinians, reportedly while they were attempting to infiltrate into Israel through the perimeter fence. Restrictions imposed by Israel on access to land along Gaza’s perimeter fence and to fishing areas along the coast undermine the security and livelihoods of Palestinians. These restrictions prevent access to farming and fishing areas and their enforcement places civilians at serious physical risk.<\/p><\/div>\n \n Displaced families return to collective centers due to inability to afford rental expenses<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n Around 90 families (over 640 people), mainly from central Gaza, have returned to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA Collective Centers for internally displaced persons, due to concerns they will not be able to cover their rental expenses. This follows the announcement last week that the agency had been forced to suspend its cash assistance programme supporting repairs and providing rental subsidies to Palestinian refugee families, who were displaced following the escalation in hostilities in July\/August 2014, due to lack of funds. According to the Agency’s assessments to date, over 100,000 Palestine refugee dwellings were damaged or destroyed during last summer’s conflict and more than US$ 720 million is required to address this need. While some funds are available to begin the reconstruction of totally destroyed homes, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA has so far received US$ 135 million in pledges for its shelter programme, leaving a shortfall of US$ 585 million. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA is ready to resume the programme as soon as sufficient funds are made available. A number of demonstrations took place in front of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA and other Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ offices in Gaza in protest against the aid cuts. There are growing concerns that the number of families seek-ing shelter in Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA collective centers may continue to rise until new funding is available.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n \n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
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