A/HRC/31/40 Palestinian Centre for Development and Media Freedoms registered at least 45 such cases in the first six months of 2015, compared to 24 cases in 2014. 44 77. OHCHR found several instances where journalists were prevented, often through force, from covering events deemed critical of Hamas. Others have been questioned at police stations about social media posts or articles critical of Gaza authorities. 78. On 29 April 2015, in Al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, security officials and members of different Islamic factions in the Gaza Strip interrupted a student gathering calling for Palestinian unity. Participants were reportedly beaten with clubs and metal bars and shot at, including by plain-clothes security forces. The authorities claimed that they intervened when fighting broke out during the protest. Journalists who witnessed the scene stated that security officials tried to prevent them from covering the event, assaulted them and destroyed equipment. 3. Death penalty 79. No executions were carried out within the Gaza Strip during the reporting period. However, local courts issued two death sentences related to murder charges while the Permanent Military Court sentenced four individuals to death (one in absentia) for collaboration with Israel. IV. Accession by the State of Palestine to international human rights treaties 80. During the period under review, the Government of the State of Palestine advanced in the preparation of the first round of reports under the seven human rights treaties to which it acceded in 2014. OHCHR was informed that the first drafts of reports under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women are under internal review and will be submitted for national consultations. OHCHR worked with the Government to ensure that line ministries use the reporting process to establish baselines from which to monitor implementation of human rights in the context of national development programming. OHCHR has also been supporting the Independent Commission for Human Rights in assuming its important role as the bridge between the Government and civil society with regard to treaty implementation and monitoring. V. Recommendations A. Government of Israel 81. The High Commissioner recommends that the Government of Israel: (a) Carry out an independent review of the Israeli security forces rules of engagement and ensure that they are consistent with international human rights law and standards, along with the actual use of force and firearms in the context of law enforcement (including in the access restricted areas); 44 16 See www.madacenter.org/index.php?lang=1.