Summary
The temporary international presence established in Hebron after the massacre of 25 February 1994, under the Memorandum of Understanding of 2 May 1994, with the mandate to assist in promoting stability and restoring normal life in the city of Hebron (Origins and Evolution of the Palestine Problem: Part V (1989-2000), PDF p.25).
Details
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UN Security Council Resolution 904 (1994) called for measures to guarantee the safety and protection of Palestinian civilians throughout the Occupied Territory, including, inter alia, a temporary international or foreign presence, as provided for in the Declaration of Principles (PDF p.24).
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The presence was established under the provisions of the agreement reached between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization on security arrangements for Hebron on 31 March 1994; at Copenhagen the Memorandum was signed by representatives of Denmark, Italy and Norway, the contributing countries at the time, and agreed upon by Israel and the PLO (PDF p.25).
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It was set up officially on 8 May 1994. As there was no agreement on the extension of the three-month mandate, it withdrew from Hebron on 8 August 1994 and resumed its work only on 12 May 1996, in accordance with agreements reached under the peace process (PDF p.25).
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Despite its positive contribution, annually acknowledged by the General Assembly, the situation in Hebron remained particularly tense and volatile, with Palestinian civilians repeatedly subjected to Israeli settler violence, intimidation and harassment (PDF p.25).
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Part V of the United Nations study records that the Presence, dormant since August 1994, resumed work on 12 May 1996 in accordance with the Interim Agreement and the “Agreement on Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron” signed on 9 May 1996, and that the Temporary International Presence in Hebron was an important component of the Hebron Protocol, which stated: “There will be a Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH). Both sides will agree on the modalities of the TIPH, including the number of its members and its area of operation.” (Origins and Evolution of the Palestine Problem: Part V (1989-2000), PDF p.59, 61).
Related pages
Origins and Evolution of the Palestine Problem: Part V (1989-2000), Hebron, UN Security Council Resolution 904