Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH)

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TEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE IN HEBRON (TIPH)

A United Nations civilian observer mission stationed in the city of Hebron, in the West Bank, charged with "monitor[ing] and report[ing] on misconduct by either side in the conflict. TIPH is not allowed to intervene directly in incidents and has no military or police functions." Personnel are supplied by Denmark, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. TIPH was first deployed in May 1994 after the murder of twenty-nine Muslim worshipers in the Ibrahim Mosque by an American-Israeli settler in February. It was withdrawn in August when the Israeli and Palestinian authorities could not agree on an extension of its mandate. A second, provisional, mission was established in May 1996 pending the IDF's withdrawal, and a new accord of 15 January 1997 provided for a full-scale mission with 180 members. This mission was deployed that February and remains in place. Its mandate is renewed every six months.

SEE ALSO Hebron;West Bank.

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