A/HRC/25/40 volumes and types of materials allowed through the Kerem Shalom border crossing, the only commercial crossing between Gaza and Israel. Gaza’s imports still fall significantly short of the pre-2007 level, and Gaza’s exports, representing only 2 per cent of the preclosure level,28 continued to be severely restricted, directly impacting livelihoods, economic sustainability and development throughout Gaza. 29. During the reporting period, Egyptian authorities destroyed numerous tunnels used to smuggle goods from Egypt to Gaza.29 Regardless of questions regarding the legality of using the tunnels, these measures resulted in a shortage of affordable fuel, construction materials, medicine and other goods that normally entered Gaza through the tunnels from Egypt. In response to the situation in Gaza, Israel slightly eased restrictions on the movement of goods. Despite a slight increase in permitted imports, the entry of goods at Kerem Shalom still falls significantly short of meeting the full needs of the Gaza population. The shortage of fuel further disrupted the operation of basic services and exacerbated the already dire situation.30 To make matters worse, on 1 November 2013, the only power station in Gaza was shut down due to failure by the Palestinian Authority and the de facto authorities in Gaza to agree on fuel prices; since then, the power supply has been restricted to six hours a day. 30. The blockade and related restrictions penalize and impose hardship on the civilian population. These measures contravene article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits collective penalties, and should be lifted.31 Access restricted areas 31. The November 2012 agreement included the easing of restrictions relating to access restricted areas imposed by Israel on land and at sea. Actual access to land in access restricted areas increased, with some Palestinians being able to access land that had been inaccessible for years. However, the Israeli authorities continued to prohibit access up to at least 300 metres from the fence between Gaza and Israel in most areas.32 Such restrictions have resulted in the loss of large tracts of arable land. 32. Incidents of use of live ammunition by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) causing injuries and death to Palestinians — occurring beyond 300 metres of the fence, though less frequently and at shorter distances from the fence than before November 2012 — show that improved access remains limited and precarious. During the reporting period, four Palestinian civilians were killed and 70 injured by the IDF in areas up to and beyond 300 metres of the fence, mostly in northern Gaza.33 On 30 September, two reportedly unarmed34 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 8 Between 17 September and 13 October 2013, Israel allowed the entry of limited quantities of construction materials for the private sector for the first time since June 2007: see http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/172039#.Um-8SHDIZcA; http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_humanitarian_monitor_2013_01_28_english.pdf. However, Israel reversed its decision following the discovery of a tunnel between Gaza and Israel: see http://www.gisha.org/item.asp?lang_id=en&p_id=2133. A/68/502; http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/2013/Closure_August.pdf; OCHA, Gaza Crossings Activities Database. See http://en.aswatmasriya.com/news/view.aspx?id=ddbe6c63-b774-44e5-90c5-9896780f1327; currently the import of goods from Egypt into Gaza through Rafah is not formally permitted. See http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_protection_of_civilians_weekly_report_2013_10 _12_english.pdf. A/HRC/24/30, paras. 21-23. A/HRC/24/30; A/68/502. Source: OPT Protection Cluster. See http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.549795.

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