Agreement
on Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron
9 May 1996
- Pursuant to Article VII of the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,
dated September 28, 1995, the two sides agree to the establishment of a Temporary
International Presence in the city of Hebron ("TIPH"). This agreement will
remain in force until such time as Israeli forces redeploy from Hebron, whereupon it will
be superseded by a new agreement to be negotiated by the two sides and the TIPH
established by this Agreement will be replaced by a new TIPH to be established under the
new agreement ("the new TIPH").
- A Temporary International presence will be established in the city of Hebron. As
detailed in paragraph 4 below, the TIPH will, in anticipation of the Israeli redeployment
in Hebron, act as an advance party for the new TIPH, assist in promoting stability and in
monitoring and reporting the efforts to maintain normal life in the city of Hebron, thus
creating a feeling of security among Palestinians in the city of Hebron. The
organizational structure, operational guidelines, logistics, support and privileges and
immunities of the TIPH shall be in accordance with the Modalities on the establishment of
the TIPH established by Norway with the agreement of the two sides.
- The two sides shall request Norway to provide 50-60 persons, citizens of Norway, as TIPH
personnel, consisting of field observers, office staff and support personnel, as agreed
between the two sides. Consistent with its stated task, the TIPH personnel shall have no
military or police functions.
- The tasks of the TIPH personnel will be:
- to begin preparations for the establishment of the new TIPH;
- to contribute by their presence to a feeling of security to the Palestinians of Hebron;
- to help promote stability and an appropriate environment conducive to the enhancement of
the well-being of the Palestinians in Hebron and their economic development; and
- to provide reports as set out in paragraph 6 below.
- In order to facilitate the carrying out of the TIPH tasks, a building will be chosen in
the city of Hebron as a seat for the TIPH.
- The TIPH will report to the following:
- On specific events - to a Joint Hebron Committee ("JHC"), comprised of two
representatives from each side. The senior Palestinian representative will be the Mayor of
Hebron and the senior Israeli representative will be the head of the Civil Administration
in the city of Hebron. A representative of the TIPH will be invited on a bi-weekly basis
to participate in the JHC meeting in order to report on the TIPH activities.
- Periodically - to the Monitoring and Steering Committee established pursuant to the
Interim Agreement.
- The members of the TIPH shall wear distinctive uniforms with a special emblem, as agreed
by the two sides, and their vehicles shall be marked with the same emblem. TIPH members
may carry pistols for self-defense purposes.
- The TIPH will enjoy freedom of movement for the performance of its tasks within the city
of Hebron. Such freedom of movement shall not be restricted, except for reasons of
imperative military necessity, and then only as an exceptional and temporary measure.
- The TIPH and its members shall, in conformity with the Modalities referred to in
paragraph 2, be accorded such privileges and immunities as are necessary for the
fulfilment of their tasks, and for the independent exercise of their functions, including
immunity of the TIPH premises. The presence and activities of the personnel assigned by
Norway to the TIPH will be in accordance with Israel's responsibility for security in
Hebron consistent with the DOP and dates of its implementation.
- The expenses of the TIPH will be borne by Norway.
- The TIPH may commence its operation immediately after the signing of this Agreement and
continue to function for a period of three months or until such earlier date on which this
agreement is superseded by a new agreement pursuant to paragraph 1 above. With the consent
of the two sides, the TIPH may extend the period or change the scope of its operation, as
agreed.
Signed by:
Mr. Joel Singer
Dr. Saeb Erakat
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