A/HRC/43/70 17. In May 2019, during the most intense escalation of hostilities, the Israeli security forces targeted the military sites of Palestinian armed groups, which resulted in 25 fatalities, a number of which were claimed by the armed groups to have been members. The Israeli security forces also struck cultural centres, seaports, commercial buildings and 324 residential buildings and houses located in populated areas. On 5 May 2019, in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, the Israeli security forces struck a residential tower, killing six Palestinians, including two women and their children, a girl aged 4 months and a boy aged 12 years. Witnesses reported that there was no prior warning of the missile strikes. These incidents also raise concerns with regard to the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack. 18. OHCHR is not aware of any investigations conducted by Israel into the attacks on residential buildings in Gaza that caused civilian fatalities during the reporting period. Similarly, there is no public information to indicate that the authorities in Gaza have conducted any investigations in response to the indiscriminate firing of rockets towards Israel that resulted in civilian fatalities. B. Recurring human rights violations 1. Violations of freedom of movement 19. Severe restrictions by Israel on Palestinians’ freedom of movement remained in place, including through 705 permanent checkpoints and obstacles, the Wall (which is 465km long),22 barriers and an arbitrary and restrictive permit and identification system. Freedom of movement is guaranteed under international human rights law23 and is a frequent prerequisite for the enjoyment of many other rights, including the rights to an adequate standard of living, health, education, work and family life. 20. During the reporting period, the Israeli authorities imposed 306 travel bans on Palestinians in the West Bank based on alleged “security grounds”, without providing the individuals or their lawyers with the basis for the decision, even in appeal processes.24 In one case, a Palestinian journalist, Majdoleen Hassoneh, was twice interrogated by the Palestinian General Intelligence Services at the border crossing with Jordan, on 6 and 18 August 2019. Following her interrogations, the Israeli authorities issued a ban denying her travel to Jordan. Ms. Hassoneh was summoned by the Israeli security forces for a security interview and presented herself on three occasions, but the Israeli security forces refused to interview her and referred her instead to the Palestinian District Coordination and Liaison Office, where she filed a request to have the ban lifted. She had not received a response by the end of the reporting period. 21. While, in comparison to the previous reporting period, there was a slight increase in the number of persons exiting Gaza, thousands continued to be denied requests to exit through the Israel-controlled Erez crossing and the Egypt-controlled Rafah crossing, or faced delays. Of the 55,950 permit applications submitted to the Israeli authorities by the Palestinian General Authority of Civil Affairs,25 24,623 (44 per cent) were granted, 15,447 (27.6 per cent) were denied, 14,291 (25.5 per cent) were delayed and 1,539 (2.74 per cent) remained under security review.26 The Rafah crossing was open for 242 calendar days, a noticeable increase compared to the previous reporting period, enabling 75,961 Palestinians to exit Gaza and 64,807 others to enter Gaza.27 22 23 24 25 26 27 Information provided by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance of the Secretariat. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, article 12 (1). Figures provided by Hurryyat. For details on the permit applications, see A/73/420, paras. 11–18. Figures provided by the Palestinian National Authority of General Authority of Civil Affairs, 24 October 2019. Information provided by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance of the Secretariat. 5