A/HRC/22/35 17. As part of the 21 November ceasefire, Israel expanded the fishing zone to 6 nautical miles. Still, fishermen continued to be detained within this area. OHCHR received information regarding the detention of at least 18 fishermen, reportedly fishing within the 6 nautical mile limit, between 23 and 29 November 2012. 18. The use of live ammunition against civilians to enforce the access-restricted areas is not in conformity with international law regarding the right to life and security. It does not respect the rules on the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials, and when taking place in the context of hostilities it violates the principle of distinction, which prohibits the targeting of civilians not directly participating in hostilities. Mere presence in a restricted area cannot be construed as participation in hostilities. As the occupying Power, Israel has the obligation to protect civilians. 2. The blockade of Gaza 19. In September 2012, Israel permitted the first commercial export of Gaza-made furniture into the West Bank since the imposition of the blockade in 2007. Apart from this, and the export of negligible amounts of agricultural produce to Europe, Gaza’s exports remained severely restricted.12 Continued restrictions on Gaza’s exports and imports have stalled the private sector and minimized prospects for economic growth. By August 2012, 44 per cent of Gaza’s population was suffering from food insecurity, 39 per cent lived in poverty, and 80 per cent relied on food assistance from humanitarian agencies.13 20. Restrictions on the import of construction material for private and public use continued to create serious challenges for the education sector. By August 2012, the education sector was in need of 230 new schools to meet the growing demand following from demographic growth. The shortage of educational facilities in Gaza forced an estimated 80 per cent of government and 93 per cent of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) schools to operate on double shifts, diminishing the quality of education. 14 21. Since June 2010, Israel has permitted the import into Gaza of construction materials for the particular United Nations projects it has approved. In September 2012, Israel, after a 19-month process, approved 11 United Nations projects related to water, sanitation, education, housing and electricity. However, Israel rejected 18 other projects, stating security concerns related to the locations of these projects. 15 The United Nations remains hindered from effectively responding to the population’s rapidly increasing demand for services.16 22. Though the tunnel economy between Gaza and Egypt has facilitated the entry of some construction material for private use, by the end of June 2012 approximately 71,000 housing units were needed to fulfil shelter needs. 17 Gazans continued to face electricity cuts 12 13 14 15 16 17 OCHA, Monthly Humanitarian Monitor, September 2012, p. 4, www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_humanitarian_monitor_2012_10_23_english.pdf. United Nations Country Team in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (UNCT), Gaza in 2020: A Liveable Place?, August 2012, p. 6. OCHA, Monthly Humanitarian Monitor, August 2012, p. 10, www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_humanitarian_monitor_2012_09_24_english.pdf. OCHA, Monthly Humanitarian Monitor, September 2012, p. 2. Ibid., pp. 3-4. OCHA, Five Years of Blockade: The Humanitarian Situation in the Gaza Strip, fact sheet, June 2012, www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_blockade_factsheet_june_2012_english.pdf. 7