A/HRC/25/40 to live in a coercive environment marked by insecurity of tenure, demolitions, settler violence and multiple human rights violations. In addition, the Israeli authorities obstruct humanitarian access to Massafer Yatta communities. 23. The insecure residency status of East Jerusalem Palestinians also remains a concern. A survey commissioned by the United Nations revealed that the equivalent of 70,000 Palestinians have changed their place of residence since September 2000 due to Israeli policies and practices. Most of this displacement was triggered by the potential revocation by the Israeli authorities of the Jerusalem identification documents of Palestinians if they lived outside the municipal boundary of Jerusalem. The majority of the displaced persons were living in the suburbs of Jerusalem and moved back into the city to avoid revocation of their status.20 B. Gaza Blockade of Gaza 24. Israel continued to impose a blockade of Gaza, resulting in violations of international law, including by severely restricting the freedom of movement of Palestinians out of Gaza and their access to basic utilities, housing, education, work, health and an adequate standard of living via various measures, including import and export restrictions.21 25. Since 2007, when the blockade was tightened, Israel has been allowing movement of Palestinians out of Gaza through Israel, only in “exceptional humanitarian cases”.22 26. Given the restrictions imposed by Israel, Gazans have relied heavily on the Rafah crossing, the official border crossing between Egypt and Gaza. However, since July 2013, Egyptian authorities have severely limited the opening of the Rafah crossing. The number of Palestinians exiting Gaza through Rafah fell from an average of 40,000 per month during the first half of 2013 to 11,000 a month between July and September 2013.23 27. More Palestinians went through the Erez crossing to Israel. In September 2013, nearly 5,000 Palestinians crossed through Erez — 20 per cent more than the monthly average for the first half of 2013.24 However, this does not mean that the criteria for permission to cross through Erez have been eased. Although the increase is significant, it remains insufficient to meet the needs of the Gazan population. Thousands of people wishing to travel outside of Gaza for work, education, family reunion and health care are not able to do so due to the restrictions in place.25 Under international law, Israel, as the occupying Power, is responsible for ensuring the right to freedom of movement of Palestinians, including Gaza residents.26 28. Following the ceasefire understanding between the de facto authorities in Gaza and Israel in November 2012 (November 2012 agreement), Israel slightly eased restrictions on the import of goods.27 However, such measures remain insufficient, given the limited 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 OCHA-commissioned survey covering September 2000 to June 2012 (unpublished); A/68/502, para. 28. A/68/502, paras 5–16. Ibid.; http://www.gisha.org/item.asp?lang_id=en&p_id=2130. See http://www.gisha.org/UserFiles/File/publications/Info_Gaza_Eng.pdf. See http://www.gisha.org/item.asp?lang_id=en&p_id=2154. Ibid.; also http://www.gisha.org/item.asp?lang_id=en&p_id=2130. ICCPR, art. 12; Hague Regulations, art. 43. A/HRC/24/30, paras. 13–15; also http://www.cogat.idf.il/901-10767-en/Cogat.aspx. 7