A/HRC/22/35 They are therefore entitled to protection against all acts of violence and threats thereof. 26 Additionally, Israel has the duty to ensure that all persons wounded, including those wounded by the action of its security forces, receive the medical attention required by their condition with the least possible delay.27 4. Settler violence 36. Israeli settlers continued to perpetrate acts of violence against Palestinians and their property. A total of 383 incidents were registered during the reporting period, which resulted in injury to 169 Palestinians, destruction or damage to 8,054 trees, and other types of damage to property. Lack of accountability for these acts remains a concern. This phenomenon is analysed in detail in the 2012 report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly on Israeli settlements (A/67/375). 37. Many incidents of settler violence occur during the olive harvest period. Incidents during the 2012 harvest included: damages to olive trees, theft of olives before or after the harvest, settlers trespassing onto private Palestinian land, physical attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, and harassment by settlers of Palestinians attempting to access their land to harvest their groves. According to OCHA, the 2012 olive harvest saw a decrease in the overall number of incidents of settler violence compared to the same period in 2011. While the number of trees damaged during the olive harvest in 2012 was lower,28 damage to trees by settlers is ongoing throughout the year and particularly intensive before the olive harvest, and the impact on the livelihoods of farmers is cumulative. In the words of a Palestinian farmer: “There is nothing left to burn or cut.” The efforts of Israeli authorities to improve coordinated access of Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest are welcomed. However, the main issue remains regular and unimpeded access of Palestinians to their agricultural lands throughout the year, in addition to the effective prevention of and protection from settler violence and a general culture of impunity. B. The de facto authorities in Gaza and Palestinian armed groups 1. Rocket and mortar shells firing from Gaza 38. Palestinian armed groups continued firing rockets and mortar shells at Israel. A total of 1,605 home-made rockets, 906 Grad rockets, and 436 mortar shells were fired during the reporting period. Of these, 765 home-made rockets, 741 Grad rockets and approximately 135 mortar shells were fired during the crisis from 14 to 21 November 2012.29 The projectiles fired from Gaza towards Israel resulted in the death of six Israelis, including four civilians. According to Israeli sources, a further 239 Israelis, including 219 civilians, were injured.30 While the majority of injuries seem to be among civilians, verified figures were unavailable at the time of drafting. A significant number of these rockets landed in civilian areas within Israel. Some projectiles appear to have been directed at military objectives in 26 27 28 29 30 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, art. 2. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Customary International Humanitarian Law, vol. I, Jean-Marie Henkaerts and Louise Doswald-Beck, eds. (Cambridge University Press, 2009), rule 110, and the 1977 Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts, art. 10. Israel must also respect its obligations regarding the right to health, namely article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Information provided by OCHA. Information provided by the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS). Ibid., and Israel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Israel under fire” (footnote 4 above). 11