This would mark another step towards progressive fragmentation of the West Bankwarned the head of the OHCHR Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ajith Sunghay.
“We are alarmed to hear that Israel has begun building a new barrier and road in the heart of the Jordan Valley,” he said Friday.
“This is the most fertile land in the West Bank and the road will likely separate Palestinian communities from each other and Palestinian farmers in Tubas from… the land they own on the other side of the planned barrier.”
Sunghay argued that the move would cement Israel’s annexation of the West Bank and eliminate all sources of livelihood for Palestinians.
He also pointed out that The fields of Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams have been emptied and that after almost a year, residents have not been allowed to return.
This raises concerns about forced transfers that are prohibited under international law, the UN human rights official said, before expressing concern about warnings issued to continue razing Palestinian camps.
Boost from the General Assembly to UNRWA
On Friday, the General Assembly gave “strong endorsement” to a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that claims that the UN agency serving Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) infiltrated Hamas militants into Gaza lack substance.
This is according to UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, who tweeted that the resolution backed by 139 states also rejected accusations that the main aid provider in the Gaza Strip was not a neutral organization.
“This vote is an important signal of support for UNRWA by the overwhelming majority of the international community.. As the ICJ has stressed, UNRWA is the key humanitarian actor in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and everything must be done to facilitate our work, not hinder or impede it.”
Nineteen nations abstained and 12 voted against. The United States, Argentina, Bolivia and Hungary were among those who joined Israel in opposition.
UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters at the daily briefing that UN Secretary-General António Guterres was “encouraged by the enormous amount of support” from Member States for UNRWA.
Winter storms deepen humanitarian crisis
Heavy rains across the Gaza Strip have flooded more displacement sites, collapsed damaged buildings in Jabalya and Gaza City, and caused more casualties, including children.
Humanitarian agencies warn that overflowing drainage systems and contaminated water sources are increasing the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks.
“The immediate and sustained entry of spare parts and essential machinery must be facilitated” stressed the aid coordination office, OCHA, noting that the safe collection and disposal of waste is now severely limited.
As temperatures drop, families without access to gas or electricity struggle to stay warm and move repeatedly in search of higher, safer ground.
Tent shortage
Aid partners are distributing winter clothing, tarpaulins and tents, but an estimated 1.3 million people still need urgent shelter support.
Since the ceasefire two months ago, fewer than 50,000 tents for some 270,000 people have entered Gaza. Thousands of pallets of housing materials have been rejected and many NGOs have been prevented from operating.
Restrictions on aid entry should be lifted, OCHA said, including the ban imposed on UNRWA, which has supplies for more than a million people stored outside Gaza.
In the West Bank, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been displaced this year in Area C and East Jerusalem, largely due to demolitions due to lack of Israeli permits that are almost impossible to obtain.
OCHA continues to record an average of five attacks by Israeli settlers per day, with serious humanitarian consequences. The UN calls for greater protection for Palestinians and an end to illegal demolitions and settler violence.