A/HRC/28/45 C. Cycles of humanitarian crisis, deprivation and despair Humanitarian impact of hostilities and the blockade 34. The blockade that Israel has imposed on Gaza, as consistently documented by the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner, 51 contravenes international law and has further impoverished the population. Its continued imposition runs counter to the measures that are essential to ensure that Palestinians can enjoy human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights that can provide a bedrock for resolution of the conflict.52 In that connection, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process highlighted in August 2014 the importance of not leaving Gaza “in the condition it was in before this latest escalation” and how “the restrictions on the [Gaza] Strip on the exit and entry of goods and people will continue to fuel instability, underdevelopment and conflict”.53 35. Some efforts have been made in that regard. On 14 October 2014, within the framework of the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism, the first shipment of materials for private construction reportedly entered Gaza. 54 There has also been some easing of movement restrictions since the 26 August 2014 ceasefire, including allowing increased numbers of family members to visit Gaza detainees and the granting of permission for the Palestinian Government of National Consensus to move between the West Bank and Gaza.55 However, those measures are insufficient to address the level of destruction caused during the escalation, particularly to the housing sector. Furthermore, they are no replacement for the lifting of the blockade, which is now more urgently needed than ever. The decision of Egypt to close the Rafah crossing on 24 October 2014, following a reported suicide attack on Egyptian troops in Sinai, has exacerbated the situation, and the movement of goods from and into Gaza remains severely restricted. Gaza imports for the whole of the year 2014 are still on average at 30.6 per cent of the level they were at prior to the blockade.56 36. During the recent hostilities, some 13,529 houses were destroyed and 8,392 were severely damaged, 57 exacerbating an existing housing shortage generated by previous escalations. 58 Approximately 4,000 truckloads of cement aggregates and iron bars are required per day to meet the construction demands.59 Construction materials are necessary, not just for the economic recovery and development of the Gaza Strip, but also for the 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 A/69/347, paras. 30–34; A/HRC/25/40, paras. 24–30. The Security Council has highlighted the need to address the root causes of conflict, including through poverty eradication. See Security Council resolution 2171 (2014), preamble. S/PV.7243. Under the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism, the Government of Palestine is to take the lead in the Gaza reconstruction process while addressing the security concerns of Israel. See the Protection of Civilians Weekly Report 14–20 October 2014 of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Available from www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_protection_of_civilians_weekly_report_2014_10_24_english. pdf. http://gisha.org/updates/3498 and http://gisha.org/updates/3614. www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_protection_of_civilians_weekly_report_2014_10_ 31_english.pdf. www.shelterpalestine.org/Upload/Doc/8dd75495-b24d-4aeb-80c2-1f4cae79e6ee.pdf. www.shelterpalestine.org/Upload/Doc/f504f516-502c-4000-9372-bc72aca186f0.pdf. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Protection of Civilians Weekly Report 14–20 October 2014. Available from www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_protection_of_civilians_weekly_report_2014_10_24_english. pdf. 11