After the massacre in the Ibrahimi Mosque / Cave of Machpela on 25 February 1994, when the Jewish settler Barush Goldstein shot and killed 29 Palestinians, the UN Security Council called for an international presence in Hebron.

As a part of the Oslo process representatives from the PLO and the state of Israel signed the first agreement on a presence of international observers in March 1994. The current Temporary International Presence in Hebron was agreed upon in January 1997 after the signing of the Protocol for the Redeployment in Hebron.

 

UN Security Council resolution 904, 18 March 1994
The resolution condemns the massacre in the Ibrahimi Mosque on 25 February 1994, It calls for measures to be taken to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilians throughout the occupied territory, including a temporary international or foreign presence within the context of the ongoing peace process.

The Oslo II agreement, 28 September 1995
The Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (“Oslo II” or “Taba”) called for a partial redeployment of the Israeli army from Hebron, and lifting of various restrictions of movement in the city. Moreover, it called for another Temporary International Presence in Hebron to be established during the redeployment of the Israeli forces.

Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron, 17 January 1997
This agreement sets forth the details of the redeployment in Hebron by the Israeli forces, and how the security responsibilities in the city should be divided between the two parties. Both sides reiterate their commitment to maintain normal life throughout the City of Hebron and to prevent any provocation or friction that may affect the normal life in the city.

Agreement on the Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron, 21 January 1997
This agreement states the mandate of TIPH and how the organization should work.

Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Temporary International Presence in Hebron, 30 January 1997
This is another document stating the mandate of the TIPH and it is signed by the participating countries and agreed to by the parties.