Settler evacuation status

Ganim and Kadim settlements have been evacuated. The evacuation of settlers from both Khomesh and Sa’nur began in the early hours of this morning , The IDF said that the number of infiltrations into the settlements over the weekend is as high as 2,100 persons.

Incidents reported

On 22 August, settlers marched up from Khomesh to Sa’nur along road 60 and attempted to enter the Palestinian villages of Silat adh Dhar, Al Fandaqumiya, al Asa ‘asa and ‘Ajja along the road. The settlers reportedly knocked on the doors of Palestinian trying to enter their homes. The IDF intervened and removed the settlers. There were no reports of casualties.

As of 23 August there are no reports of settler presence close to the Palestinian villages. All communities close to the two settlements have been contacted by OCHA and reported that there have been no security events this morning.

An IDF communications position set up close to Khomesh was torched in the morning by settlers who also tried to prevent access to the site. An IDF jeep was also burned by settlers in the afternoon close to the Shave Shomeron checkpoint.

Coordination

As of today, the Jenin Emergency Room will be functioning for 24 hours until the evacuation of the settlements is over. Both OCHA and ICRC will remain on call 24 hours. The Emergency Room in Jenin Governorate is operational between 6am and 6pm. Three telephone lines have been established: 042 503 220/221/222. A fourth line has been established (all calls paid by Jenin Governorate): 1800 330 033.

External movements

All movement into Israel proper for Palestinian workers and traders has been suspended, and will remain suspended until end of the disengagement. Family visits from the area to Palestinian prisoners held in Israel have been suspended.

Internal movements and closure

On the morning of 22 August, an UNRWA mobile health clinic was denied access by a new IDF checkpoint set up at the entrance to Ramin village, off road 57 in Tulkarm Governorate.

All alternative routes utilised by Palestinians are open and traffic is mostly smooth although the presence of IDF flying checkpoints delays movement sometimes.

Barrier gates: Reikhan and Imreiha gates are closed to Palestinians, while Dhaher al ‘Abed is open to traffic.

The road blocks at the entrance to Burqa from road 60 have been opened up. The visit of high ranking Ministry of Defense representative to the area of Shaked resulted in the closure of the nearby village of Dhaher al Malih in the morning of the 22 August: this has now been lifted. The IDF occupied houses in ‘Ajja, Arraba and Anza villages.

The distribution of food by WFP in Sufa confirms that there are no restrictions for the UN along road 557.

Humanitarian issues

The Governor of Jenin has appealed to the UN and ICRC for a presence in the villages closest to the settlements such as Silat adh Dhahr, Al Fandaqumiya, Jaba’ and Al Asa’asa to show support for the Palestinian community and reassure them in the face of settler harassment.

Following a recommendation from the Governor of Jenin, the Ministry of Health (MoH) will have staff present on a continuous basis in the Silat adh Dhar clinic during the evacuation in order to minimise access problems.

WFP carried out on 23 August the distribution of 120 food rations (for 720 persons to last one month) in the Palestinian village of Shufa as a result of the rapid needs assessment carried out by UNRWA last week. There will be no distribution of food to the Bedouin population of Imreiha as UNRWA carried out distribution to the village two weeks ago as part of a regular programme of assistance.

UNRWA is assessing access to water in the village of Imreiha cut off by the closure along the evacuation route. Staff of the MoH clinic in Barta’a ash Sharqiya has been informed by the IDF that they will no longer be able to use the Reikhan gate to cross into the enclave.

Assessment

There is no critical humanitarian situation. The evacuation of the two remaining settlements is imminent. IDF have brought manpower to the area and a large new IDF military camp has been set up at the turn for Bizzariya on road 60. The section of road 60 from Shave Shomeron to just north of Sa’nur is likely to witness more settler protest and violence in the coming days making it likely that the IDF will restrict movement along it for security reasons.

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