A/HRC/9/26 page 2 CONTENTS Paragraphs Page I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 1-2 3 II. BACKGROUND ............................................................................... 3 - 14 3 A. Implementation of the mandate .................................................. 3-4 3 B. Mandate ...................................................................................... 5 3 C. Methodology ............................................................................... 6-9 4 D. Applicable law ............................................................................ 10 - 14 5 THE SHELLING OF BEIT HANOUN ON 8 NOVEMBER 2006 AND ITS CONTEXT ........................................................................ 15 - 43 6 A. Context ........................................................................................ 15 - 23 6 B. The events of 8 November 2006 and immediate aftermath ........ 24 - 33 9 C. The Israeli response and explanations for the shelling ............... 34 - 42 11 VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS .......................................................... 43 - 71 13 A. The protection of civilians in conflict and the right to life ......... 45 - 51 14 B. The situation of victims and the needs of survivors ................... 52 - 71 16 V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................ 72 - 82 21 III. IV. Annex Schedule of the high-level fact-finding mission to Beit Hanoun ....................................... 24