A/HRC/28/45 Nations premises. 18 In relation to Israel, there are serious concerns with regard to the alleged failure of the Israel Defence Forces to respect the legal principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in attack. Those concerns arise in the context of targeting decisions; the taking of all necessary precautions; the proportionality of the attacks; respect for the distinction between civilians and civilian objects and military objectives, especially during the ground operation; attacks on and close to schools, including those used as shelters for the displaced; attacks on hospitals, ambulances and ambulance staff; and the alleged arrest and transfer of Palestinians from Gaza to Israel during the ground operation.19 17. Following the ceasefire on 26 August, OHCHR observed a significant decrease in violence, recording no deaths, six rockets fired and no air strikes as of 24 October 2014. The limited ceasefire which, as in the case of each previous escalation, ended the 2014 escalation, involved some easing of the restrictive measures on the movement of people and goods from and into Gaza. Each ceasefire agreement has consistently failed to address the root causes of the conflict, namely the prolonged occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the blockade with its negative impact on enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, and the lack of accountability for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The agreements have served merely to paper over the cracks of the conflict, which has continued to simmer before re-erupting in yet more violence and yet more violations of international law. Enforcement of the access-restricted areas 18. Between 25 May 2013 and 6 July 2014, a total of seven people were shot and killed and 131 were injured in the access-restricted areas on the Gaza side of the fence erected by Israel around the Gaza Strip.20 In some incidents, shooting occurred in circumstances that, according to information available to OHCHR, posed no threat to the soldiers. For example, on 24 January 2014, the Israel Defence Forces shot and killed a 19-year-old Palestinian while he was taking photographs a few hundred metres away from the fence in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza. 19. Similar violations occurred at sea, where Israeli naval forces continue to restrict the access of Palestinian fishermen to fishing waters. Between 25 May 2013 and 6 July 2014, one fisherman was killed and 13 others were injured. Israeli naval forces arrested approximately 46 fishermen, confiscated 20 boats and damaged six boats during the reporting period.21 20. Despite an expansion of the fishing limit off the Gaza shore from three to six nautical miles, reportedly under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, 22 as of 24 October 2014, at least one fisherman had been injured, 13 arrested, four boats confiscated and one boat destroyed.23 Israel resumed its enforcement of the access-restricted areas in the same manner as before the 2014 escalation, by using lethal force. Several incidents of shooting at Palestinians close to the fence were reported between 26 August 2014 and 25 October 2014, with seven civilians injured in the access-restricted areas.24 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/unrwa-strongly-condemns-placement-rockets-school. A/HRC/12/48, paras. 499–1344; A/HRC/22/35/Add.1, paras. 11–31; A/HRC/28/80/Add.1, paras. 32–65. Source: OHCHR. Source: OHCHR. www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/26/us-mideast-gaza-ceasefire-detailsidUSKBN0GQ1XQ20140826. Source: OHCHR. Source: OHCHR. 7

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