A/HRC/44/60 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted by the current Special Rapporteur to the Human Rights Council pursuant to Commission on Human Rights resolution 1993/2 A and Human Rights Council resolution 5/1. 2. The Special Rapporteur would like to note that he has not been granted access to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, nor have his requests to meet with the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations been accepted. The Special Rapporteur notes that access to the Occupied Palestinian Territory is a key element in the development of a comprehensive understanding of the human rights situation on the ground. The Rapporteur regrets the lack of opportunity to meet with many of the human rights groups due both to his exclusion from the territory and to the barriers many individuals face should they seek exit permits from the Israeli authorities, particularly from Gaza. 3. The present report is based primarily on written submissions and consultations with civil society representatives, victims, witnesses and United Nations representatives. The Special Rapporteur, due the COVID-19 pandemic, was unable to travel to the region for further consultations. 4. In the present report, the Special Rapporteur focuses on the human rights and humanitarian law violations committed by Israel, in accordance with his mandate. 1 The mandate of the Special Rapporteur focuses on the responsibilities of the occupying Power, although he notes that human rights violations by any State or non-State actor are deplorable and only hinder the prospects for peace. 5. The Special Rapporteur wishes to express his appreciation for the full cooperation extended to his mandate by the Government of the State of Palestine. The Special Rapporteur further acknowledges the essential work of civil society organizations and human rights defenders to create an environment in which human rights are respected and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law are not committed with impunity and without witnesses. II. Current human rights situation 6. The human rights situation of Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza continues to be grim. Although it is not possible to provide a comprehensive review of all human rights concerns since the last report to the Human Rights Council,2 the Rapporteur would like to highlight several issues of concern at this time. While the report will primarily focus on the issue of collective punishment, it will also address a number of other issues including the continued expansion of Israeli settlements; the increase in settlers’ violence; the detention of Palestinians; use of settlement products; Israel’s planned annexation of parts of the Palestinian West Bank and its potential impact; the situation of Human Rights Defenders and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A. Settlements 7. The Israeli Government continued to approve plans for the expansion of new settlement outposts/projects and the consolidation of existing settlements in flagrant violation of international law. In July 2019 the Government approved some 2,400 housing units and public infrastructures in 21 settlements and outposts, bringing the total of approved settlement units last year to approximately 6,100. During the same time, the Israeli Government announced its approval of only 715 housing units for Palestinians living in Area 1 2 2 As specified in the mandate of the Special Rapporteur set out in resolution 1993/2. A/HRC/40/73.