A/HRC/24/30 23. As a recent example of the ongoing punitive measures against the civilian population of Gaza, the IDF and COGAT announced on 21 March36 that “in response to rocket fire”, the permitted fishing zone for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip would be narrowed from 6 to 3 miles as instructed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence.37 A Salafist jihadist group had claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks.38 The mentioned restrictions were not directed towards members of this group, but instead targeted the civilian population by penalizing them for acts they had not committed. As noted above in paragraph 17, the fishing zone was subsequently re-extended to 6 nautical miles on 21 May 2013. III. The situation in the West Bank A. Settlements and related policies, practices and plans that affect Palestinian human rights 1. Settler violence and accountability 24. Acts of violence by Israeli settlers continued to be perpetrated against Palestinians and their property, impacting negatively upon their physical security, access to livelihoods and natural resources, as well as access to education. One hundred ninety-one such incidents were recorded, including 62 that resulted in 98 Palestinian casualties, and 129 that resulted in destruction of or damage to private property. At least 3,793 productive trees were destroyed or damaged in settler attacks. Five incidents hindered access to education for 1,616 children39 and one incident at an educational facility was recorded.40 During the same period, 27 incidents of violence by Palestinians against Israelis, resulting in 47 Israeli casualties, were recorded, including the killing of a resident of Yitzhar settlement on 30 April 2013. 25. Israel, as the occupying Power, has the obligation to maintain public order and ensure that protected persons – Palestinian civilians – are safeguarded against all acts or threats of violence (A/67/375, para. 30). This includes the obligation to protect Palestinians from settler violence, and to ensure the effective, prompt, thorough and impartial investigation of criminal attacks and prosecute those allegedly responsible. Despite repeated concerns raised by the Secretary-General, as well as statements by Israeli officials noting that steps would be taken to address this phenomenon, Israeli authorities continue to fail to prevent settler violence, protect Palestinians and their property, and ensure accountability for these criminal acts.41 36 37 38 39 40 41 A/HRC/12/48, paras. 74, 78, 1328 and 1329; International Committee of the Red Cross, press release of 14 June 2010, available at: http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/update/palestine-update140610.htm; and “How can Israel’s blockade be legal? UN independent experts on the ‘Palmer Report’”, OHCHR news release, 13 September 2011, available at: http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11363&LangID=E. http://www.idf.il/1153-18596-en/Dover.aspx See paragraph 17 above. http://www.as-ansar.com/vb/showthread.php?t=84600 According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in March 2013, two incidents affecting the access to education of Palestinian children took place, while single similar incidents were recorded in January, February and April 2013. Data provided by UNICEF. See, inter alia, A/67/375 and A/66/364. 9