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GAZA NGO SAFETY OFFICE
GANSO
R E P O R T I NG P E R I O D : 3 0 O C T - 1 2 NO V 2 0 1 4
BI-WEEKLY SAFETY REPORT VOL 7.36
-IN THIS ISSUE-
GAZA STRIP SUMMARY & OUTLOOK
Summary & Outlook
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Upcoming Dates
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Analysis
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Access Update
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General Information
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After a period of relative calm in terms of key security and political developments post-Operation Protective Edge (OPE), the
reporting period witnessed several important events of note to
GANSO members. While the frequency of border and naval fire
did not change significantly from the prior periods, incidents of
political violence and access issues dominated the situation.
Demonstrations also remain a key feature of the security environment, with 30 for the period. GANSO does not anticipate any
improvement in the situation in the short term, either in terms of
political stability or with issues disrupting NGO movement and
operations such as demonstrations and access problems.
The overall number of incidents in the reporting period was up,
with 31 security incidents as compared with 18 in the previous
period. A large portion of these additional events were the multiple IED explosions on 07NOV, discussed in more detail below.
Looking ahead, delays are likely to both the ceasefire process
and political reconciliation. The reasons behind these challenges
are addressed further in the Analysis section. Precisely how
these delays will affect NGO operations remains to be seen,
though it is becoming increasingly clear that GANSO members
need to be prepared for a prolonging of the current scenario of a
tense truce with sporadic periods of escalation. Contingency
planning needs to accommodate both this likely scenario of sustained ’status quo’ activity and the worst-case scenario of increased violence and instability.
There is the possibility of a fuel supply problem in the coming
days, as a consequence of damage incurred in the explosion at
Kerem Shalom on 11NOV, involving a fuel truck and/or pipeline.
Further details on the cause of the incident and its likely impact
are yet to emerge, though in view of existing supply problems,
any further disruption to services is expected to have a severe
impact, from both the humanitarian and operational perspectives.
Regional Summaries
• Rafah
• Khan Yunis
• Middle Area
• Gaza City
• North Gaza
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Contact Information
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-ABOUT GANSOGANSO is a project of CARE
International, funded by SDC
with the aim of providing the
information and analysis the
NGO community needs in order
to implement humanitarian
projects safely.
UPCOMING DATES & EVENTS
NOTE: GANSO Bi-Weekly Reports and other products are for
the exclusive use of the NGO
community and are not for resale. GANSO accepts no liability
for the results of activities conducted or omitted on the basis
of this report.
15NOV:
24NOV:
03DEC:
Palestinian Independence Day (public holiday)
No major security implications expected though
the date may be a flashpoint in Jerusalem/West
Bank given current tensions; related gatherings
and associated disturbances possible in Gaza.
GANSO Training Session: Security Risk Assessments @ GANSO office 1000/1400hrs
GANSO Monthly Briefing - 1100 (English) &
1200 (Arabic)
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GAZA NGO SAFETY OFFICE
Analysis
Political troubles
Several developments during the reporting
period highlighted the significant challenges
still facing the reconciliation between Fatah
and Hamas. An event that was intended to
be a symbol of the consensus government—
the memorial for late Palestinian Authority
President Yasser Arafat on the 11NOV anniversary of his death—was cancelled. The
cancellation was partially prompted by a
series of IED blasts (possibly as many as 15)
early on 07NOV, targeting the residences
and vehicles of senior Fatah figures in Gaza
City and North Gaza, as well as the platform
constructed to host the Arafat memorial at
Al Katiba Square. While the bombings did
not cause casualties—and were likely not
intended to, given their timing at 0200hrs—
they could be viewed as a warning. Fatah
blamed Hamas for the explosions, though
involvement was emphatically denied.
Subsequently, Hamas stated that it could
not support the event due to ‘security and
logistical concerns’, believed to be linked to
the non-payment of security force salaries
under the consensus government. The combination of factors led to the cancellation
and appears likely to have distanced the
prospect of reconciliation in the short term.
Exacerbating the challenges, both sides
have engaged in negative rhetoric. The next
steps in this process are now unclear.
Reconstruction
The political situation is also having an impact on Gaza reconstruction. Under the
mechanism negotiated for the delivery of
materials into the Gaza Strip, the crossings
need to be supervised by the national consensus government. However, disputes over
the process have hampered the establishment of a crossings administration.
Hamas has objected to the UN supervisory
role in the delivery of building materials and
claimed that this element of the mechanism
has not been agreed to.
Demonstrations related to the pace of reconstruction continue, becoming more frequent and often focusing on the UN. Typically these pass off peacefully, though there is
REPORTING PERIOD: 30OCT -12NOV 2014
potential for unrest to build if it is perceived
that the UN’s involvement in the process is
slowing the delivery of goods.
Rocket fire
At approximately 2100hrs on 31OCT, a rocket hit was recorded in the western Negev; no
injuries or damage were caused. This was only the second rocket launch to have reached
Israeli territory since the end of OPE.
In response, Israel closed the Erez—with the
exception of international staff and emergency cases—and Kerem Shalom crossings; neither reopened fully until 04NOV. The alleged
perpetrators of the rocket launch were arrested. Both sides claimed that the developments—the rocket and the crossing closure—
were ceasefire violations.
Further similar developments are likely in
the near future. Movement planning should
always take into account the potential for
short-notice access issues or spikes in tensions/violence.
Jerusalem/West Bank violence
During the reporting period, a sharp increase
in unrest was noted in East Jerusalem and the
West Bank. Key incidents of violence include
three vehicle ramming incidents, two random
stabbing attacks and numerous incidents of
vandalism and arson by both sides, generally
in and around Israeli settlements. Clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian activists
typically follow, often resulting in casualties.
Many analysts now consider a third intifada
to be inevitable, if not already begun. Regardless of such defining terms as this, it appears
increasingly unlikely that a solution will
emerge to defuse the situation in the short
term. Any prospect of peace negotiations are
practically inconceivable in the current climate. The instability—combined with the political strife plaguing the consensus government—also limits the immediate prospect of
an agreement over the Gaza conflict.
The developments in Jerusalem/West Bank
will increase the frequency of solidarity
demonstrations. They may also embolden
Salafist groups within Gaza. Incidents such as
the rocket fire noted above could be staged as
a response.
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GAZA NGO SAFETY OFFICE
Electricity supply problems
It was hoped that a pledge by the Qatar government to fund fuel supplies would significantly improve the operational capacity of the
Gaza power plant, allowing the provision of
16 hours electricity per day. However, a fuel
tanker exploded at the Kerem Shalom border
crossing on 11NOV, killing one person and
injuring two others. This forced the temporary closure of the cargo crossing.
Of longer term concern is the likely impact
on fuel supplies, already a critical issue for
Gaza. The full extent of disruption to supply is
not yet clear; neither is the cause of the explosion. However, operational challenges should
be expected in the coming weeks if serious
supply problems are experienced. Additionally, shortages may exacerbate existing humanitarian issues.
Access Issues
Erez and Kerem Shalom
As noted in connection with the rocket fire
incident, the Erez terminal and Kerem Shalom crossing were closed on 02-03NOV,
with the exception of international and
emergency cases. Kerem Shalom was also
closed on 11NOV following the fuel explosion. It was subsequently reopened, though
goods movement was delayed.
Rafah crossing
The Rafah crossing with Egypt remains
closed and there is no clear indication of an
expected reopening date. It is unlikely that
the crossing will reopen while the Egyptian
military continues its preparations for the
establishment of a buffer zone along the
border with the Gaza Strip. This is despite
the Egyptian government acknowledging
that Hamas had nothing to do with two attacks in North Sinai on 24OCT.
We remind members to visit the UN Access
Coordination Unit website for specifics on
movement and to inform the unit of any access-related incident to ensure the ACU can
advocate on behalf of NGOs. Website:
www.accesscoordination.org and for 24/7
access support call: +972 (0) 54 331 1850.
R E P O R T I NG P E R I O D : 3 0 O C T - 1 2 NO V 2 0 1 4
General Information
GANSO Training: Risk Assessments
To help member agencies build internal
safety & security capacity, training sessions will be held on Monday 24NOV at
1000 and 1400hrs, at the GANSO office.
The sessions will cover the process of undertaking a security risk assessment, targeted at security focal points with relatively limited security management experience. The sessions will be conducted in
English, though a series of similar sessions
in Arabic will be introduced next year.
Space is limited and sessions heavily subscribed so prior registration is required.
Please contact our Radio Room or email
[email protected] to register. We hope to
see these fully subscribed, to help build
GANSO’s training capacity going forward.
UNMAS Awareness Sessions
We remind members that the volume of
ordnance used in the recent conflict and
the scale of resulting damage have led to
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) representing
a significant threat, particularly for field
staff.
The new UNMAS information booklets
have been distributed and are available on
the GANSO website. UNMAS is continuing
to conduct regular awareness sessions
for NGO staff at the GANSO office, every
Tuesday at 1100 (Arabic) and at 1200
(English). These sessions have proven extremely valuable and are often heavily
subscribed; please contact us to arrange a
session for your staff.
Weekend Headcounts
As you will have seen from our emails,
GANSO is continuing to conduct the ‘full
details’ headcount for international and
West Bank/Jerusalem ID holder staff. This
is a precautionary measure while issues
around the ceasefire and reconciliation
remain unresolved. While the truce continues to hold, we remind members that a
comprehensive solution will likely still be
some time coming.
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GAZA NGO SAFETY OFFICE
R E P O R T I NG P E R I O D : 3 0 O C T - 1 2 NO V 2 0 1 4
REGIONAL SUMMARIES
RAFAH
Incidents in Rafah governorate were up slightly on the previous period. Most incidents (3)
were naval fire; on 10NOV two people were injured in one of these incidents. The development involving the explosive device occurred on 03NOV when the police discovered three
IEDs and defused them. Separately, an operative was killed in an accident during a training
exercise on 07NOV. Two demonstrations took place, one of which was protesting against the
prolonged closure of the Rafah border terminal. More protests at the terminal are likely in the
coming weeks, if the crossing with Egypt remains closed.
KHAN YUNIS
There was little change in the situation in Khan Yunis governorate during the reporting period. The explosive device incident was a UXO detonation on 12NOV in Khuza’a area, east of
Khan Yunis, in which two people were injured while trying to clear rubble. No injuries were
incurred in the three border fire incidents recorded during the reporting period. Two demonstrations took place, the first a small gathering at UNRWA on 30OCT while the other protest
on 07NOV was a much larger rally of around 3,000 people, hosted by Islamic Jihad in support
of Al Aqsa mosque.
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GAZA NGO SAFETY OFFICE
R E P O R T I NG P E R I O D : 3 0 O C T - 1 2 NO V 2 0 1 4
REGIONAL SUMMARIES
MIDDLE AREA
The situation was quiet in the Middle Area during the reporting period. The border fire incident involved warning shots as an unarmed Palestinian attempted to cross the border on
02NOV; he was arrested. Two tanks and three bulldozers entered Middle Area on 10NOV, conducting levelling and excavating tasks. There were also relatively few demonstrations in the
governorate. Of note were two events held to commemorate the anniversary of Yasser Arafat’s passing in Nuseirat Camp on 07 and 10NOV. The first event was dispersed by the police
and some disturbances were reported.
GAZA CITY
The situation in Gaza City was the busiest of all governorates, as has typically been the case.
The explosions all occurred early in the morning of 07NOV and were part of the wider series
of coordinated blasts outside the homes of Fatah leaders in Gaza City and North Gaza, causing
no injuries. The rocket launched east of Shejaya reached Israeli territory; this was the incident that prompted the temporary closure of Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings. On 09NOV a
19-year old was shot and killed near Dolphin Club; the motive remains unclear. No injuries
was recorded in the border and naval fire incidents. Of note was the frequency of demonstrations, with 18 during the reporting period. This is a further increase on recent weeks. The
largest portion of these focused on UN facilities, as has been the trend recently; the biggest of
these at the UNRWA compound saw 750 participants on 05NOV. Other gatherings marked
those killed in OPE or supported Al Aqsa mosque. More protests should be expected in the
coming weeks, with a potential increase in frequency, scale and level of disturbance.
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GAZA NGO SAFETY OFFICE
REPORTING PERIOD: 30OCT -12NOV 2014
REGIONAL SUMMARIES
NORTH GAZA
In comparison to the previous reporting period, the situation was relatively active in North
Gaza. Naval fire was noted on 07, 09 and 12NOV, though none of the four incidents resulted in
damage or injuries. A rocket was fired from west of Jabalia on 07NOV, though it dropped short
of Israeli territory. The explosive detonations were part of the series of IED blasts targeting
the residences of Fatah leaders on 07NOV; no injuries resulted from the bombings. Warning
fire on 07NOV targeted a group gathered east of the Islamic cemetery; one injury was reported. There were more demonstrations than is commonly the case in North Gaza during the reporting period. Around 3,000 people gathered peacefully on 30OCT in Beit Lahia to mark the
anniversary of the assassination of Islamic Jihad leader Fathi Shaqaqi. A similar gathering was
held the following day in support of Al Aqsa mosque. Three small demonstrations focused on
UNRWA facilities.
CONTACT US
PROJECT DIRECTOR Penelope Kinch | [email protected] | +970 (0)59999 7537 | +972 (0)54779 7717
RADIO ROOM [email protected] | +970 (0)82821481 or Toll Free 1800 122 122
ANALYST Joana Costa | [email protected] | +970 (0) 59 9997535 | +972 (0) 54 779 7715
This document has been produced with the assistance of the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation. The views expressed herein should not be taken in any way to reflect the official
opinion of the SDC.
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