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UNITED NATIONS

Of ce for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairsoccupied Palestinian territory

THE HUMANITARIAN IMPACT OF ISRAELI-DECLARED“FIRING ZONES” IN THE WEST BANK

AUGUST 2012

O. Box 38712 East Jerusalem 91386 l tel. +972 (0)2 582 9962 l fax +972 (0)2 582 5841 l ochaopt@un.org l www.ochaopt.org

FAST FACTS Approximately 18% of the West Bank has been designated as a closed military zone for training, or “ ring

zone”; this is roughly the same amount of the West Bank under full Palestinian authority (Area A, 17.7%).

Approximately 5,000 Palestinians reside in the ring zones, (in 38 communities), mostly Bedouin orherding communities, many of which existed prior to the closing of the area.

Over 80% of the communities are located in the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea area or south Hebron hills.

Over 90% of the communities are water scarce, accessing less than 60 litres per capita per day (l/c/d),compared to the 100 l/c/d recommended by the World Health Organization; over half access less than 30

l/c/d. Food insecurity in Area C reaches 24% and rises to 34% among herders, many of whom live in ring

zones.

Two schools and one kindergarten located in ring zones currently have demolition orders against them.

Some 45% of demolitions of Palestinian-owned structures in Area C since 2010 have occurred in ringzones, displacing over 820 Palestinian civilians.

There are 10 Israeli settlement outposts located either partially or completely in ring zones.

1. In the 1970s, Israel declared large swathes of theWest Bank as “ ring zones”, which are distinct from

other closed military areas, such as those declaredaround Israeli settlements and between the Barrierand the Green Line. A Palestinian presence isformally prohibited in these zones withoutpermission from the Israeli authorities,

which is rarely granted. These declarationshave had a serious humanitarian impacton Palestinian civilians and dramaticallyreduced the land available to them for residential and livelihood uses.

2. The ring zones, the boundaries of whichare not clearly marked on the ground,

have remained largely the same since their establishment, despite signi cant changesto the security situation. Many residentsreport that there is little or no military training intheir areas.

3. Firing zone residents are among the mostvulnerable in the West Bank, with highlevels of humanitarian need. Most residents have limited or dif cult access to services(such as education and health) and no serviceinfrastructure (including water, sanitation andelectricity infrastructure).

4. The Israeli authorities regularly carry outdemolitions in these communities, either inthe context of demolition orders or when executingeviction orders. Many of the communities havesustained multiple waves of destruction. Israeli

settlement outposts established in the ringzones do not normally face demolitions of

their structures. 5. Most of the families residing in or near the

ring zones are herders, who rely on grazingland for their livelihood. They routinely facerestrictions on grazing livestock in theseareas and are subject to substantial nes and/orimprisonment. Reduced access to grazing areashas resulted in increased dependency on fodderand the overgrazing of some areas, both of whichcontribute to diminished livelihoods.

6. Residents of ring zones face a range of otherdif culties including the con scation of property,settler violence, harassment by soldiers, accessand movement restrictions and/or water scarcity.Combined, these conditions contribute to acoercive environment that creates pressureon Palestinian communities to leave theseareas.

7. Israel, as an occupying power, has an obligationto protect Palestinian civilians and to administerthe territory in a manner that ensures theirwelfare and basic needs. If restrictive measuresrespect basic civilian rights and meet aproportionality test, the humanitarian

situation can be improved. International lawalso prohibits the destruction or con scationof private or public property, unless forreasons of military necessity, as well as theforced displacement or transfer of civilians.

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FACT SHEET

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Tubas

Jenin

Nablus

Hebron

Salfit

Tulkarm

Jericho

Ramallah

Bethlehem

Qalqiliya

East Jerusalem

0 5 102.5Kilometers

D e a d

S e a

No Man'sLand

R i v e r J o r d a n

1 9 4 9 Ar m i s t i c e Li n e ( G r e e n Li n e )

Area A / B

Area C & "Wye River" Na ture Reserves

Palestinian Community in Firing Zone

Israeli settlement (inc.cultivated land)

!P

Firing Zone (Closed Military Area)

Israeli Settlement Outpost in Firing Zone!P

Buffer Zone (Closed Military Area)

Palestinian Community

Map Legend

Barrier: Planned

Barrier: Constructed / Under Construction

United Nations Of ce for the Coordination of HumanitarianAffairs occupied Palestinian territory

WEST BANK FIRING ZONESAugust 2012

Some 56 percent of the Jordan Valley and DeadSea area is designated as a closed military area,primarily ring zones.

Demolitions in Farisiya/Jordan Valley

Firing Zone 918: The Israeli authorities intend to evict12 herder communities (approx. 1,500 people) fromthis area, while allowing the residents to cultivate theirland and graze their sheep during Jewish weekends andholidays.

almost

30%of Area C