A/HRC/31/73 November 2015.38 The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that in October 2015 the reconstruction of 10 per cent of homes that had been totally destroyed in 2014 was under way (over 1,100), while 12 per cent of repairs to severely damaged homes had been completed.39 In the same month, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East reported that a refugee family in Gaza was the first to complete the reconstruction of their totally destroyed home, through the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism.40 While progress remains limited more than a year after the 26 August 2015 ceasefire, the Special Rapporteur welcomes the assistance reaching families affected by the destruction of and damage to homes. He joins again the many calls for donors to realize their pledges made in Cairo in October 2014. The Special Rapporteur recalls, however, that the need to facilitate the entry of building materials into Gaza has been created as a result of the maintaining of the blockade by Israel. Long-term viability requires that the economy of Gaza, and people’s livelihoods, be freed from the stranglehold that the blockade’s restrictions on movement of goods and people presents. 37. The Special Rapporteur is dismayed that there appears to be no indication from Israel that the blockade will be lifted. The Government of Israel rejected seven recommendations expressly on lifting the blockade or closure of Gaza. In the interactive dialogue of the universal periodic review, Israel sought to justify the continuation of the blockade referring to “the volatile security situation” (see A/HRC/25/15, para. 125). The people of Gaza have suffered greatly during three escalations of hostilities with Israel between 2008 and 2014, during which time the blockade was continually imposed. Even outside of active hostilities, the people of Gaza remain victims of violations of their human rights resulting from the effects of the blockade. The Special Rapporteur recalls the joint statement, issued by 30 international aid agencies six months after the ceasefire in Gaza, warning that, “a return to hostilities is inevitable if progress is not made and the root causes of conflict are not addressed” and stressing that Israel, as the occupying Power, must comply with its obligations under international law and “must fully lift the blockade”. 41 C. Prisoners and detainees 38. The Special Rapporteur has previously detailed his concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including children, under the Israeli military court system (see A/HRC/28/78, sect. IV, and A/70/392, sect. IV). Figures reported by various non-governmental organizations show a sharp rise in the number of Palestinians detained in the month of October 2015, during the escalation of violence. According to figures published by an Israeli non-governmental organization, the number of Palestinians in the custody of the Israeli security forces reached some 5,680; a rise of more than 400 persons held compared to September 2015.42 39. With respect to the situation of child suspects and detainees, the Special Rapporteur is astounded at the openly discriminatory approach signalled by the rejection by Israel of 38 39 40 41 42 12 Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “Humanitarian Bulletin: occupied Palestinian territory - October 2015”, p. 6. Ibid., pp. 5-6. “After 70 days, I held the new keys in my hands”, 21 October 2015. Available from www.unrwa.org/newsroom/features/“after-70-days-i-held-new-keys-my-hands. “We must not fail in Gaza”, joint statement by 30 international aid agencies issued on 26 February 2015. B’Tselem, “Statistics on Palestinians in the custody of the Israeli security forces” (accessed on 2 December 2015). This figure does not include Palestinians held in Israel Prison Service facilities for being in Israel illegally.