A/HRC/34/38 in recurrent violations of human rights. The closures have had a negative impact on basic human rights and economic prospects, as well as on the availability of essential services, exacerbating poverty and aid dependency. 150 Access to health, education and broader economic and social rights have been restricted. The situation has caused growing frustration and despair, with an ongoing breakdown in societal ties accompanied by an increase in diseases, crime rates, family disputes, domestic violence and cases of self-harm. The living conditions of people displaced by the conflict have also resulted in an increased risk of violence against women and children. 151 68. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 1.3 million people in Gaza were in need of humanitarian assistance as of November 2016. 152 However, efforts by humanitarian actors to address the most pressing needs following the 2014 escalation of hostilities, such as housing, health, education, and water and sanitation services, have been hampered by restrictions on the import of goods considered by Israel as “dual-use” items. Those are civilian goods, such as construction materials or medical equipment, that Israel considers to also be of military use. 153 These restrictions constitute a violation of the obligation of Israel as an occupying power to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need. 154 Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly 69. Significant concerns remain regarding violations and abuses by all duty bearers of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Israeli and Palestinian authorities impose restrictions and subject both Israeli and Palestinian human rights defenders focusing on the Occupied Palestinian Territory to pressure and harassment.155 Palestinian activists are regularly arrested, assaulted and harassed by Israeli security forces, in addition to facing physical attacks and harassment from settlers, particularly in Hebron. 156 Israeli human rights organizations advocating for Palestinians’ human rights have come under attack from Israeli politicians, whose statements may amount to incitement to violence. 157 Of additional concern is the recent growing intimidation of non-governmental organizations that have been calling for the use of foreign jurisdictions and international justice mechanisms to ensure accountability for Israeli violations.158 70. In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, political tensions often lead to human rights abuses, with restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, in addition to the targeting of political opponents through harassment, threats, arbitrary arrests, assaults, illtreatment and torture. OHCHR regularly receives reports of human rights violations perpetrated by the Palestinian security forces and the authorities in Gaza, particularly against individuals and groups critical of the authorities. 159 71. Throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, social media is monitored, and journalists and activists are harassed, arrested, detained and, in some cases, subjected to illtreatment or torture. 160 Authorities in both the West Bank and Gaza have also imposed restrictions on peaceful assemblies. Such practices contribute to the creation of a repressive environment and promote self-censorship among the Palestinian population. 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 See A/71/364, para. 5. United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) and Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “Needs of women and girls in humanitarian action in Gaza: gender alert for the 2016 response plan”, August 2015, p. 2. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “The Gaza Strip: the humanitarian impact of the blockade”, 14 November 2016. See http://gisha.org/publication/4860. Fourth Geneva Convention, art. 59, and ICRC, Customary International Humanitarian Law, rule 55. See A/HRC/34/36, paras. 39-42. See A/HRC/31/40, para. 52, and A/HRC/34/36, para. 39. See A/HRC/34/36, para. 42. See www.alhaq.org/advocacy/topics/human-rights-defenders/1026-al-haq-under-attack-staffmembers-life-threatened and www.mezan.org/en/post/21475. See A/HRC/31/40, paras. 66-67, and A/HRC/34/36, paras. 51-53. See A/HRC/31/40, paras. 56-57, and A/HRC/34/36, para. 49. 15