A/HRC/31/73 65. The communication also included alleged violations related to attacks by Israel Defense Forces on hospitals, ambulances and medical workers. There were three cases of attacks on hospitals: Al-Aqsa, Beit Hanoun, and Al-Wafa. With respect to the Al Wafa hospital, which was attacked several times between 11 and 23 July 2014, when it was destroyed, the case was examined by the Israeli Fact Finding Assessment Mechanism. However, based on claims that it had been used for military purposes, no investigation followed. Information received by the Special Rapporteur suggested only the possibility of a launching site more than 200 metres from the hospital, but no other military activity in the area of the hospital. The independent commission of inquiry established pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution S-21/1 reported that all relevant witnesses it interviewed, including medical staff, denied that it was used for military purposes prior to its evacuation (see A/HRC/29/CRP.4, para. 477). In two of the three cases of attacks on ambulance and medical workers, investigations appear to have been opened by the Military Advocate General following examination by the Fact-fining Assessment Mechanism. The third case, into which there seems to have been no investigation, concerned the killing of a threeperson ambulance crew when the ambulance allegedly came under attack by the Israel Defense Forces while it was on its way to attend casualties at the site of a reported drone strike. As of 7 December 2015, there were no further updates available on these cases.71 66. These cases illustrate a variety of effects of the policies and practices of the occupation and the related conflict on individual Palestinian lives. The Special Rapporteur reiterates the need for increased realization of the protections afforded Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Communications addressed to the Government of Israel after November 2015 are not included in the present report, but will be included in the communications report of special procedures presented at the thirty-second session of the Council. VI. Conclusions and recommendations 67. The Special Rapporteur recalls the well-documented violations related to the Israeli occupation policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and sees a critical need for the international community to increase its protection of the Palestinian population. 68. He appeals to the Government of Israel, as the occupying Power, to take practical steps to implement protections under international law as it pertains to the Palestinian population living under occupation. In particular, he urges Israel to review, with a view to implementing, recommendations made to it to improve the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, by the SecretaryGeneral, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and independent mandates in reports presented to the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. 69. The Special Rapporteur reiterates recommendations previously made (see A/HRC/28/78 and A/70/392) and presents and re-emphasizes the following recommendations to the Government of Israel: (a) Lift the blockade on Gaza, which is a primary obstacle to reconstruction, entails violations of human rights and constitutes collective punishment; 71 20 A response from Israel to the communication was received following the finalization of the present report. It will be made available in the relevant communications report of Special Procedures.