Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron

The TIPH is an international civilian observer mission. The TIPH assists the parties in the normalisation of the situation in the city and reports on their efforts and the breaches of the agreements on Hebron and international law. TIPH reports to the Palestinian and Israeli authorities and to the six member countries.

 
 

TIPH Mandate and the Agreements

The TIPH is established by an agreement between the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities. The agreement sets out the TIPH’s mandate, how the mission should work, and its area of responsibility.

The agreement states that, Norway, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey are to provide the TIPH with personnel and coordinate its activities. The TIPH’s structure and operations are regulated in a memorandum of understanding, signed in 1997.



UN Security Council resolution 904, 18 March 1994
The first call for international observers in Hebron was made by the UN Security Council following the massacre in the Ibrahimi Mosque/Cave of Machpela on 25 February 1994. Through Resolution 904, the Security Council strongly condemned the massacre and called for measures to guarantee the safety and protection of Palestinian civilians. The first TIPH was set up in May 1994, but withdrew in August the same year as an agreement on the extension of the mandate was not reached.


Oslo II Agreement, 28 September 1995
In September 1995, the parties called for another temporary international presence in Hebron, under the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (“Oslo II” or “Taba”). The Oslo II agreement addressed the partial redeployment of the Israeli Defence Forces in Hebron, and restrictions of movement in the city.


Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron, 17 January 1997
The details of the redeployment in Hebron were agreed on by Israel and the PLO in the 1997 Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron. The protocol also describes the division of security responsibilities in the city. Both parties confirmed their commitment to maintain normal life in Hebron and to prevent any provocation or friction that may jeopardise such efforts.


Agreement on the Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron
On 21 January 1997, Israel and the PLO concluded the agreement of the Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron. The agreement established the TIPH as it is today and sets out its mandate, tasks and area of responsibility. The agreement is subject to renewal every six months.


Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Temporary International Presence in Hebron
Shortly after the agreement, the six TIPH member countries concluded a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the organisational structure and operational guidelines of the TIPH. The MOU is signed by the TIPH member countries and agreed to by the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities.