Introduction

Palestinian women in Gaza are subjected to overlapping forms of violence by Israel that converge into a single, coherent structure of domination. Starvation, sexual and gender-based violence, and reproductive violence do not occur as isolated abuses, but as an interlocking system enacted simultaneously and reinforcing one another. These practices operate across psychological, social, and biological dimensions of harm. While Palestinian women’s bodies are the immediate site of this violence, its intended target is Palestinian society as a whole. By systematically targeting women, Israel undermines collective survival, erodes social cohesion, and attacks the continuity of Palestinian life itself. Taken together, these practices constitute a gendered architecture of genocide that must be recognized and addressed as such.

The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH) has documented these three crimes throughout Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Firsthand testimonies collected from the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank reveal the distinctly gendered impacts of these violations and their cumulative effects on Palestinian women.

I. Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Sexual and gender-based violence is systematically instrumentalized by Israel as a means of humiliating and isolating Palestinian women while dismantling family and community bonds. These violations should not be understood as isolated or aberrational incidents, but rather as part of a broader historical pattern in which sexual violence has been deployed as a tool of terror and social control against the Palestinian population.

Historical records document that during the 1948 ethnic cleansing of historic Palestine, Zionist paramilitary forces including the Haganah engaged in acts of sexual violence alongside mass killings and expulsions of Palestinians. The Haganah later became the institutional foundation of the contemporary Israeli military. This historical continuity underscores how sexual violence has long functioned as a weapon of war, embedded within military practices aimed at terrorizing civilians and facilitating population displacement.

Testimonies collected by MIFTAH fieldworkers across the West Bank and Gaza Strip reveal recurring patterns. Arrests conducted in family homes routinely transform domestic spaces into sites of domination. Soldiers storm houses, often in the middle of the night, restrain family members, destroy personal belongings, steal valuables, and dictate all movement within the home. Male relatives are frequently forced to witness or participate in the abuse of female family members, a tactic designed to emasculate men and dismantle the household from within.

Sexual violence also functions as a form of psychological torture in Israeli detention and interrogation settings. Alongside sleep deprivation, starvation, and physical assault, sexual violence is deliberately employed to induce psychological breakdown and assert total control. Testimonies describe forced strip searches, removal of hijabs, invasive bodily touching, slut-shaming, and explicit threats of rape against detainees or their relatives . Testimonies collected by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) describe in detail the systematic use of secual torture in Israeil detention settings. Sexual violence is further enacted through blackmail, including the use of nude or indecent photographs taken during interrogation to coerce compliance or enforce silence. These practices aim to strip women of dignity, break them psychologically prior to or during interrogation, and inflict lasting harm that weakens their sense of self long after release.

The full extent of sexual violence against Palestinian women today remains difficult to quantify, as survivors rarely disclose sexual assault or rape causing underreporting to be widespread. This silence reflects structural, legal, and social barriers rather than the absence of abuse. Palestinian survivors of violence perpetrated by Israeli soldiers or settlers seldom pursue legal avenues due to the well-documented lack of accountability within Israeli law enforcement mechanisms, where investigations rarely result in prosecution or redress .

Social stigma also plays a role in silencing survivors. In a predominantly conservative social context, sexual violence carries stigma that extends beyond the survivor to her family and community. Israeli forces exploit this reality deliberately, using sexual violence and threats to women’s “honor” as mechanisms of coercion, intimidation, and social fragmentation. In this way, sexual violence operates not only as an assault on individual women, but as a strategic instrument of collective harm.

II. Reproductive Violence

Reproductive violence targets women’s capacity to give life through the systematic destruction of healthcare systems, maternity services, and the material conditions necessary for survival. It refers to deliberate actions intended to impair an entire population’s ability to reproduce and sustain itself. In Gaza, reproductive violence is not incidental to armed conflict; it is enacted through policy-driven destruction that reflects intentionality rather than collateral harm.

This violence is carried out through the systematic targeting of life-sustaining infrastructure, including hospitals, maternity wards, neonatal units, fertility clinics, and embryo preservation centers, as well as the blockade of medicines, medical equipment, and hygiene supplies. The consequences are visible in rising maternal mortality, increased miscarriages linked to malnutrition and extreme stress, untreated reproductive infections, and the repeated displacement of pregnant women seeking care within a collapsing healthcare system .

These measures directly undermine women’s ability to safely conceive, carry pregnancies to term, give birth, and raise children. Women’s reproductive health is further compromised by the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid and the collapse of sanitation and water infrastructure. The destruction of healthcare facilities, combined with ongoing bombardment and repeated displacement, has rendered movement dangerous and unpredictable, making access to medical care nearly impossible and severely limiting the ability of humanitarian organizations to provide reproductive and maternal health services.

As a result, there has been a sharp increase in preventable reproductive health complications. Women report rising cases of fever linked to untreated vaginal infections caused by inadequate hygiene and the absence of feminine hygiene products, as well as unnecessary hysterectomies . Women using intrauterine devices experience prolonged bleeding and infections due to unsanitary living conditions, yet no options for safe removal currently exist in Gaza, posing serious long-term risks to reproductive health and bodily integrity . Women have also been forced to undergo emergency hysterectomies to control excessive post- partum bleeding that could not be managed due to the lack of healthcare.

Reproductive violence in Gaza is therefore both biological and symbolic. It constitutes an assault on the present population and on the possibility of future generations. The objective of preventing Palestinian continuity is further evidenced by the sustained and disproportionate killing of children, who have consistently been the most targeted demographic group throughout the genocide. This killing is reinforced by an ideological framework that dehumanizes Palestinian women and children. Public statements by Israeli political and military officials have repeatedly framed the killing of women and children as militarily justified . Within this logic, women are targeted not for their actions, but for their reproductive capacity and their role in sustaining Palestinian continuity. Such rhetoric has informed and legitimized military operations in Gaza. Throughout the genocide, civilian spaces including schools, homes, and hospitals, have been deliberately targeted as a matter of state policy. These are precisely the spaces where women and children sought refuge. The systematic killing and endangerment of women and children is not a secondary effect of warfare but a central component of the broader genocidal strategy.

III. Starvation as a Weapon of Genocide

Another grave factor to the reproductive health of women in Gaza has been starvation. Prolonged malnutrition, combined with physical exhaustion, repeated displacement, and lack of healthcare infrastructure, have contributed to increased miscarriages, loss of amniotic fluid, and heightened maternal mortality . Numerous women have reported using prenatal supplements distributed by humanitarian organizations as meal substitutes for themselves or their families, or exchanging them for food and essential supplies. Breastfeeding has become increasingly difficult due to suppressed milk production associated with undernourishment, while infant formula remains largely inaccessible, placing newborns at heightened risk. Chronic stress and nutritional deprivation have also resulted in amenorrhea, fertility complications, and potential long-term reproductive harm.

For women in Gaza, starvation functions not only as a form of biological deprivation but as a structural assault on familial roles, social reproduction, and dignity. It undermines women’s capacity to fulfill caregiving responsibilities, destabilizes family life, and produces severe physical, reproductive, and psychological consequences. Women disproportionately experience the embodied impacts of hunger while simultaneously carrying the emotional labor associated with sustaining children and dependent family members.

Testimonies collected by MIFTAH from displaced women subjected to Israel’s forced starvation consistently begin with descriptions of pre-displacement life, including homes, employment, family routines, and domestic spaces. The loss of the home, particularly the kitchen, emerges as a recurrent theme, reflecting the erosion of women’s agency and identity. The destruction of homes and domestic spaces traditionally associated with women’s autonomy has contributed to a marked erosion of dignity and self-perception. Reported symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, hair loss, emotional dysregulation, and post-traumatic stress, with many women suppressing their own distress to maintain caregiving roles.

Repeated displacement has further exacerbated women’s vulnerability. Multiple forced relocations have resulted in the loss of personal possessions, kinship networks, and community-based support systems. Overcrowded shelters lack adequate privacy, sanitation, and safety, compelling women to manage childcare and food preparation under unsafe and degrading conditions. Everyday survival practices are thus shaped by constant exposure to risk and instability.

For women who serve as the primary caretakers of their families, providing for loved ones often comes at great personal risk. They are frequently reducing or skipping their own meals so that their children can eat, often continuing caregiving responsibilities despite severe physical exhaustion . In displacement, they prepare rudimentary meals using limited ingredients and improvised methods, such as cooking lentils over burning toxic materials like plastic. These practices function both as survival strategies and as efforts to maintain a sense of continuity and stability for children amid profound disruption. In these contexts, women disproportionately bear the responsibility of caring for sick, injured, or disabled family members, despite acute shortages of medical care, clean water, and shelter. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions contribute to widespread illness, while attempts to obtain food or humanitarian assistance expose women and children to ongoing risks of injury or death.

Starvation has additionally intensified gendered pressures within households. Men’s inability to secure food or protection has been associated with increased psychological distress, thereby expanding women’s emotional and caregiving responsibilities. For women whose spouses have been killed, detained, or disappeared, starvation enforces sole provider roles under conditions that systematically undermine the possibility of survival.

Conclusion

MIFTAH has documented violations of sexual violence, reproductive violence, and starvation at various points during the genocide in Gaza. These violations, however, do not occur in isolation; they operate simultaneously, reinforcing and amplifying one another as part of a single system of control. Sexual violence isolates women from themselves and alienates them within their communities. Reproductive violence deliberately targets women because of their childbearing roles. Starvation acts as both a biological and psychological assault. Taken together, these crimes compound one another, deepening harm and undermining the survival of Palestinian women and their communities. A single woman may experience all three forms of violence, being violated in detention, displaced and denied healthcare, and later starved while unable to feed her children. Together, these crimes transform daily life into a persistent site of punishment. They attack the Palestinian female spirit, disrupt women’s societal roles, and, in doing so, fracture society across generations, making recovery increasingly difficult.

The failure to confront these violations reflects a long colonial history, in which the rhetoric of “saving women” was used to justify empire while violence against women perpetrated by colonial powers was silenced or dismissed. To resist normalization and impunity, these crimes must be recognized and addressed as mutually reinforcing acts of genocide. Understanding these violations as an interconnected system of oppression is essential to grasp their full impact on Palestinian society. These gendered crimes are not about women alone; they aim to dismantle the foundations of Palestinian life. Women are targeted not only as individuals but as mothers, community anchors, and bearers of generational continuity, while Palestinian society is systematically weakened and broken at its core.

Sources and References

Executive Summary

On 17 November 2025, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2803, establishing a new governance framework for Gaza. The resolution endorses U.S. President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict (CPEGC) and the creation of a transitional international administration through a U.S.-led Board of Peace (BoP) and authorizes an International Stabilization Force (ISF). Rather than ensuring Palestinian sovereignty, this framework transfers control of Gaza’s civil administration, security, reconstruction, borders, and humanitarian aid to external actors, entrenching foreign oversight and further consolidating Israeli dominance over the occupied Palestinian territory.

This resolution raises grave legal and political concerns. It departs from foundational principles of international law and undermines the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination. By providing no mechanisms for accountability for Israel’s documented violations, offering no concrete safeguards for Palestinian rights, and presenting an undefined framework with no clear timeline or benchmarks, Resolution 2803 risks perpetuating systemic injustices, enabling a reconfigured form of occupation, and further entrenching the colonial-style control already in place.

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Executive Summary

The outbreak of famine in the Gaza Strip has been a deliberate, man-made policy pursued by the Israeli government as part of its genocide. In August 2025, famine was declared by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) for the first time in the region.

Evidence gathered by MIFTAH through sworn testimonies from women and girls demonstrates that starvation in Gaza is not an unintended by-product of war, but a deliberate and systematic policy used to subjugate and besiege the civilian population.

MIFTAH’s report, “Famine and the Violation of the Right to Food,” outlines the intersection of starvation, displacement, and bombardment, highlighting the gender-specific impacts these practices have on women. It situates the famine within the framework of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide under international law. Article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Rome Statute defines as a war crime the act of “intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare by depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supplies as provided for under the Geneva Conventions.” The report also shows how the militarization of humanitarian aid and the manipulation of financial systems have turned basic survival into a tool of political coercion against Palestinians, especially women.

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UNRWA Chief Says Israeli Military Operations, Curfews, Closures Largely to Blame; Financial Constraints, Emergency Budget Shortfall Continue

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) faced enormous hurdles in the occupied Palestinian territory that had developed as a result of violence, curfews and closures, Peter Hansen, Commissioner-General of his agency, told the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) this afternoon.

Introducing his report on the Agency’s activities during the period of July 2003 through 2004, he said the past year had unfortunately seen a dramatic increase in the scale of military operations in the Gaza Strip. The rate of house demolitions was unprecedented: an average of 45 people a day were made homeless. Incursions, house demolitions, air-strikes and extra-judicial killings had continued. In the last two weeks, an additional 41 people had been killed, 132 injured and 378 people had been rendered homeless. He said the UNRWA simply could not keep up.

He said the agency remained under considerable financial constraints. The Emergency Programme had received pledges for only 45 per cent of its budget. Two initiatives have been launched to increase voluntary contributions. One was giving a strong, new thrust to fundraising efforts in the Arab World. Another was the process of establishing two country support groups, one in Spain and one in the United States.

The future for UNRWA and for the Palestine refugees, particularly those in the Gaza Strip, was uncertain. He feared that the proposed disengagement by Israel from the Gaza Strip would not be accompanied by a radical easing of movement for both people and goods, would exacerbate economic stagnation, and that the donor community would continue to bear the burden of the humanitarian crisis. Operational and programme constraints were at an all-time high.

He spoke of a series of “unfortunate and unfair accusations” by the Israeli Defence Forces and Israeli Government officials, culminating in the demand that he withdraw from his post. “I do not wish to dwell on the details, but simply ask that we all move forward in a productive manner that benefits all people of the region.”

The Permanent Observer of Palestine, said that the plight of the Palestine refugees continued to be as critical an issue today as it had ever been, and the UNRWA’s assistance continued to be crucial in alleviating their suffering, as Israel continued to harm, dispossess and displace the refugees. The socio-economic conditions of the refugees remained difficult. Palestinian refugees continued to face serious challenges and threats to well-being, particularly as a result of ongoing military attacks and the continuing imposition of severe restrictions on movement. Such actions by the occupying Power were against international law.

The representative of Lebanon said the issue of Palestinian refugees was not only a humanitarian issue, but also a political and juridical one, linked to the occupation and to international peace and security. The refugee question was also linked to principles of international law, he said, in particular to principles of justice and equity.

Egypt’s representative said Israel’s disengagement from Gaza should be part of Israel’s implementation of the Road Map. It must, therefore, be a complete and comprehensive withdrawal, followed by similar withdrawals from the West Bank. Israel must also abide by the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice concerning the construction of the separation wall.

The representative of Switzerland drew attention to a conference, jointly organized by the UNWRA and Switzerland, which had taken place in Geneva on 7 and 8 June. It had identified many areas in which a tripartite partnership between donors, host countries and UNRWA could speed up the Agency’s interventions, as well as the usefulness and effectiveness of its activities for the benefit of refugees. While Israel’s right to protect itself against terrorist attacks was not disputed, all measures must be in compliance with international humanitarian law.

The representatives of United Arab Emirates, Syria, Jordan and Tunisia also took the floor, as did the Permanent Observer of the Holy See and of the Organization of Islamic States. Hans Jacob Frydenlund (Norway), Rapporteur of the Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, introduced that body’s report.

The Fourth Committee will meet again at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 2 November, to continue its consideration of the UNRWA.

Background

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this afternoon to consider the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Before the Committee was the report of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA (document A/59/13) for the period 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004, which says that the reporting period was characterized by the continuation of strife in the occupied Palestinian territory. The number of suicide bombings inside Israel decreased significantly, while rocket and mortar attacks from the Gaza Strip continued. Military incursions into refugee camps in the Gaza Strip were particularly extensive, characterized by a further dramatic increase in shelter and home demolition. No less than 901 refugee shelters were destroyed and 1,410 damaged.

The severe economic depression of the Palestinian economy continued unabated, the report says. According to the World Bank, unemployment declined slightly, but remained at over 25 per cent. Real wages declined by a further 2.6 per cent, and Palestinian per capita income remained some 35 per cent lower than its pre-intifada level. As a result, over half the Palestinian population continued to live below the poverty line. Also according to the World Bank, physical damage from the conflict had reached $930 million by the end of 2002, including to UNRWA schools, training centres and health-care facilities.

During the reporting period, 34 UNRWA staff members were detained by the Israeli authorities, and the Agency was systematically refused access to staff in detention. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to follow up on any of the Agency’s requests for official information concerning the charges against them. The Agency notes with regret that the 12,000 local UNRWA staff in the occupied Palestinian territory are ironically the only United Nations staff members working in the area who do not receive hazard pay.

The report states that in the West Bank, military operations carried out by the Israeli forces, including curfews and closures and the creation of closed military zones, had an adverse impact on the Agency’s ability to carry out its humanitarian functions. In the Gaza Strip, external and internal closures led to severe interruptions in the delivery of UNRWA humanitarian supplies. Israeli authorities continued to hinder the movement of international staff into and out of the Gaza Strip.

During the reporting period, the Government of Israel initiated a plan to disengage from the Gaza Strip, the report says. The UNRWA hoped that the implementation of the plan could bring an end to the occupation in the Gaza Strip, a relaxation of the closure regime and unfettered access for Palestinian goods to the outside world. The Agency did not, however, exclude the possibility that the disengagement would maintain most restrictions on the freedom of movement of persons and goods. In such a situation, the Agency would be called upon to step up its efforts to ameliorate the suffering of the refugees and would require significant increases in extrabudgetary contributions. The plan remained unimplemented at the end of the reporting period.

The Government of Israel also proceeded with the construction of the “wall/fence” inside the West Bank, the report continues. The wall/fence has already led to the further impoverishment and isolation of refugees families living in its vicinity and has created new obstacles to the delivery of essential UNRWA services to them. The Israeli High Court has instructed the Israeli Government to make greater efforts to ameliorate its adverse impact, but UNRWA remains concerned that both the existing construction and its further extension will constitute a new and formidable obstacle to the delivery of the Agency’s services to the affected population.

During the reporting period, UNRWA continued to implement its regular programme, providing education, health, social services and microcredit assistance to Palestine refugees in its five fields of operation –- the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. It also pursued vigorously its processes of internal management reform, with a view to enhancing its overall efficiency and effectiveness. It also undertook the preparation of a new medium-term plan and organized its first major conference to stimulate partnerships and strengthen its relations with its stakeholders.

The report states that appeals for assistance from the international community to fund the Agency’s emergency programmes in the occupied Palestinian territory were launched for the second half of 2003 ($103 million) and for 2004 ($194 million). The response to those appeals has gradually decreased as the crisis entered its fourth year. In 2003, contributions covered 47 per cent of the needs, while the proportion for 2004 stood at 32 per cent as of 30 June. Continued support of the UNRWA Emergency Appeal is crucial to the survival of the Palestine refugees, and the Agency is concerned that donors are increasingly reluctant to fund construction of new homes for refugees whose shelters have been destroyed by the Israeli Defence Forces, as such contributions could be seen as making them complicit in the violations of international humanitarian law committed by the occupying Power. The UNRWA expressed the view that, while it agrees that the wide-scale destruction could well be considered contrary to international humanitarian law, it would be particularly ironic if this position of principle were applied to the sole detriment of the refugees and other civilian victims.

The report then describes in detail its activities regarding education, health and relief and social services in its five fields of operation, as well as financial and legal matters.

Also before the Committee was the report of the Secretary-General on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities (document A/59/151), which refers to correspondence between the Secretary-General and the Permanent Representative of Israel regarding actions taken by the Government of Israel in implementing resolution 57/119, which reaffirmed the right of all persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities to return to their homes, and endorsed the efforts of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA to provide humanitarian assistance, on an emergency basis and as a temporary measure, to such persons.

The report presents the information made available by the Commissioner-General to the Secretary-General on the return of refugees registered with the Agency to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip from places outside the occupied Palestinian territory. The Agency is not involved in any arrangements for the return of refugees, nor is it involved in any arrangements for the return of displaced persons who are not registered as refugees. The UNRWA knows of 550 refugees who have returned to the West Bank and Gaza from places outside occupied Palestinian territory between 1 July 2003 and 30 June 2004. However, some of these may not themselves have been displaced in 1967, but may be members of the family of a displaced registered refugee. In that context, the number of displaced registered refugees who are known by the Agency to have returned to the occupied territories is about 24,600 since June 1967.

The Committee also had before it the report of the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine, in which the Commission notes that it has nothing new to report since the submission of its report of 31 August 2003 (document A/59/260, annex).

Also before the Committee was the report of the Secretary-General on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues (document A/59/279), which states that on 12 April 2004 the Secretary–General sent notes verbales to Israel and all other Member States, drawing attention to the relevant provisions of General Assembly resolutions 58/91 to 58/95, in particular paragraph 4 of resolution 58/94, and requesting information by 31 May 2004 concerning any action taken or envisaged in relation to their implementation.

A reply from Israel dated 12 July 2004 stated that in light of that State’s desire to end all acts of violence and terrorism in the region, improve the humanitarian situation and achieve a negotiated settlement in the context of the Road Map, Israel regretted that the resolutions concerning UNRWA’s efforts continued to be rife with irrelevant politicized rhetoric that detracted from its important humanitarian mandate. Further, Israel was also concerned that UNRWA had failed to address the problems caused to the fulfilment of its mandate by the extensive terrorist infrastructure that had taken root in Palestinian “refugee camps” and drew the Agency’s attention to their misuse by armed elements.

Finally, the Committee had before it the report of the Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (document A/59/442), which describes that body’s activities during 2004 and provides a detailed outline of the current financial situation of UNRWA.

Introduction of Reports

PETER HANSEN, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), introduced the Agency’s report (document A/59/13) and gave an overview of the Agency’s activities. He said the largest by far was the education programme. Serving almost 500,000 pupils at the preparatory level in 658 schools, it employed 73 per cent of the total Agency staff and accounted for 60 per cent of its expenditure. The quality of education was deteriorating because the Agency was unable to provide adequate classroom space; average class size was now 41 students, and many schools operated on a double-shift system. The Agency had completed construction of nine new schools and another seven not yet complete. The modernization of the host country curricula had also been a burden.

He said spending on health had been less than $15 per refugee per year, but the Palestine refugee population had been provided with comprehensive primary health-care services. UNRWA doctors saw 100 patients a day on average. Because of demographic developments -– 40 per cent of the population was below 18 years, and 24 per cent were women of reproductive age -– there had been an increase in demand on services. As a result of the humanitarian crisis in the occupied territories, there had been an increased incidence of malnutrition and anaemia, as well as psychological concern, particularly for children. Ninety per cent of parents had reported that their children exhibited traumatic stress-related symptoms.

Food and cash support for more than 61,000 of the most destitute refugee families accounted for 84 per cent of the Relief and Social Services Department’s resources -- 10 per cent of the Agency’s budget. Shelter repair and reconstruction was entirely dependent upon extrabudgetary contributions. During the reporting period, only 1.2 per cent of the needed repairs had been completed.

He said a shining light in programme activities was the self-financing microcredit programme. It was now the largest source of credit in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and was expanding in Jordan and Syria. Of the $12 million disbursed, 31 per cent of the almost 16,000 loans were to women. Women participating in the solidarity-group lending product in Gaza had a 93 per cent rate of repayment.

He said UNRWA faced enormous hurdles in the occupied Palestinian territory, as a result of violence, curfews and closures. In 2000, the Agency had launched its Emergency Programme. During the past year, the Agency had provided food aid to more than 1.3 million refugees and the emergency job-creation programme had generated more than 1,823,000 work days. It had provided temporary accommodation and emergency assistance and had launched several rehousing projects. The Israeli wall/fence was having severe detrimental effects on the Palestinian population and UNRWA operations. The Agency was undertaking a series of surveys to determine how the barrier was affecting refugees. The number of mobile clinics had been increased to provide health care to more than 91,000 patients who could not reach facilities due to movement restrictions in the West Bank.

The past year had unfortunately seen a dramatic increase in the scale of military operations in the Gaza Strip, he continued. The rate of house demolitions was unprecedented: an average of 45 people a day were made homeless. The rate of fatalities in Gaza was even more astounding: Israeli forces killed an average of 60 per month in Gaza. Describing the largest incursion, he said that during the “Days of Penitence” operation between 28 September and 15 October, 107 people were killed and nearly 200 homes were destroyed. The incursion followed rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip which killed a number of Israeli civilians, three of whom were children. He doubted anyone would deny that such indiscriminate and disproportionate destruction and disregard for life constituted grave violations of humanitarian law.

He said incursions, house demolitions, air strikes and extrajudicial killings had continued. In the last two weeks, an additional 41 people had been killed, 132 injured and 378 people had been rendered homeless. It was ironic that those lives and communities had to be rebuilt and that the international community would bear the material costs. The UNRWA simply could not keep up. The Government of Israel did not respond to claims.

The UNRWA remained under considerable financial constraint. The Emergency Programme had received pledges for only 45 per cent of its budget. The Agency had launched two initiatives to increase voluntary contributions. One was giving a strong, new thrust to fund-raising efforts in the Arab world. Another was the process of establishing two country-support groups, one in Spain and one in the United States. On 7 and 8 June, a large international conference had been held in Geneva to strengthen the Agency’s partnership with stakeholders. Rather than a one-time event, the Geneva conference represented the beginning of a dynamic process that could only lead to improvements in UNWRA’s effectiveness.

Giving examples of how the Agency continued to face severe operational obstacles in carrying out its humanitarian mandate in the occupied territories, he said the future for UNRWA and for the Palestine refugees, particularly those in the Gaza Strip, was uncertain. He feared that the proposed disengagement by Israel from the Gaza Strip would not be accompanied by a radical easing of movement for both people and goods, would exacerbate economic stagnation, and that the donor community would continue to bear the burden of the humanitarian crisis. Operational and programme constraints were at an all-time high.

On top of that, he said, UNRWA had been coping with a series of unfortunate and unfair accusations by the Israel Defence Forces and Israeli Government officials, culminating in the demand that he should withdraw from his post. “I do not wish to dwell on the details, but simply ask that we all move forward in a productive manner that benefits all people of the region”, he said. “I hope that any further concerns the Government of Israel may have will be dealt with between us, rather than through campaigns in the press.” The tasks were enormous and energies needed to be devoted to overcoming difficulties, not creating them.

HANS JACOB FRYDENLUND (Norway), Rapporteur of the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA, introduced that body’s report as contained in document A/59/442. He called for the early and complete fulfilment of pledges and other commitments to UNWRA in order to address all aspects of the Agency’s financial needs, in particular the reimbursement of value-added tax and port charges by the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Government. The Working Group expressed alarm at the continuing negative effect of successive austerity measures adopted in previous years. The Group was also concerned that the discontinuation of former regular budget allocations such as university scholarships and rehabilitation of shelters had reduced the Agency’s activities in those areas.

He said the Working Group appealed to the international community to do its utmost to meet the emergency appeal’s requirement of $209 million for 2004 as soon as possible. Since 30 September, merely $89 million had been pledged. The problems faced by the refugees today were humanitarian problems that must be addressed as a shared international responsibility. The services provided by UNRWA must be viewed as the minimum required to enable the refugees to lead productive lives. He, therefore, strongly urged all governments to start, or to continue, making contributions to UNRWA, and to consider making special contributions sufficient to cover the deficit and build up working capital.

Statements

FEDA ABDELHADY NASSER, of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine, said the plight of the Palestine refugees continued to be as critical an issue today as it had ever been, and UNRWA’s assistance continued to be crucial in alleviating their suffering. As Israel continued to harm, dispossess and displace the refugees, UNRWA’s emergency medical, housing and food assistance had been vital for their basic survival.

She reaffirmed the right of Palestine refugees to return, which was a universal right that could not be altered by time. She said that Israel should also recognize Palestinian ownership of land; restitution or fair compensation for that land must be part of any final settlement of the refugee problem. She reiterated that the Israeli-American exchange of letters of 14 April this year, which aimed at circumventing international law and unilaterally deciding the future of the refugees, could not alter the objectives of the peace process or the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

Commending the Commissioner-General’s report, she described UNRWA’s extensive assistance to the refugees, saying that, despite such aid, the socio-economic conditions of the refugees remained difficult; they continued to face serious challenges and threats to their well-being, particularly as a result of ongoing military attacks and the continuing imposition of severe restrictions on movement. She described practices that she said were unlawful, that had directly affected the work of UNRWA, and that had killed and wounded hundreds of people, including women, children and UNRWA staff.

She said that all such actions by the occupying Power against UNRWA and the refugees were against international law, and that Israel’s attacks against the Agency’s reputation had been replete with fabrications aimed at undermining UNRWA. She reaffirmed that UNRWA was entitled -– under law -– to carry out its mandate free from harassment, intimidation, obstruction and destruction. She said that Israel should immediately lift all restrictions on the movement of the Agency’s staff and supplies, ensure their safety, and compensate the Agency for any damage caused to its property.

She expressed appreciation to countries that had hosted Palestinian refugees and encouraged their continued cooperation with UNRWA. She expressed appreciation for the international community’s financial support to the Agency, and urged an increase in such support pending a just and lasting resolution of the refugee problem.

IBRAHIM ASSAF (Lebanon) said the issue of Palestinian refugees was not only a humanitarian issues but also a political and juridical one, linked to the occupation and to international peace and security. The refugee question was also linked to principles of international law, in particular principles of justice and equity. Today, there were 4 million refugees, a third of them living in camps that depended on UNRWA. In contrast, there were 400,000 Israeli settlers living in the occupied territories. Where was the justice in that? he asked.

He said that to Lebanon the question of Palestinian refugees in his country was one of prime importance. His country attached great importance to the principle of the return of refugees to their homes, because the refugees themselves refused to remain in Lebanon indefinitely. Also, if Palestinian refugees were to remain in Lebanon indefinitely, the cost would be too heavy a burden for the State and the make-up of the population would be changed. He stressed that UNRWA’s work remained a temporary activity. Only through Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories and return of refugees could peace be guaranteed.

ABDULLA MOHAMMED ABOOD AL NAQBI (United Arab Emirates), thanking the Commissioner-General for his efforts, expressed serious concern regarding the deteriorated humanitarian and social conditions of the Palestinian refugees, especially those living in the occupied territories who, he said, were subject to aggressive and hostile Israeli policies. He reiterated that a just and comprehensive outcome of the Palestinian cause must be based on unconditional repatriation of the refugees to their homeland, along with compensation for their losses. He reaffirmed the responsibility of the international community in bringing about that outcome.

He condemned Israeli actions that he said were in violation of international law, calling for the Security Council to adopt measures that could stop Israeli attacks against Palestinian refugee camps and ensure the security of UNRWA staff. Conditions for UNRWA local staff must also be improved, and their wages increased, including hazard pay. Noting the decline in the Agency’s financial resources, he said his country would continue to provide support, and he urged donors to double their contributions in order to meet the urgent needs of the Palestinian refugees.

FAYSSAL MEKDAD (Syria), also expressing appreciation to Mr. Hansen, the rest of the UNRWA staff and donors, said there was still no glimmer of hope for the Palestinian refugees. Israel was, in fact, escalating its brutal campaign against civilians and increasing the suffering of those refugees. It had also attacked the facilities and staff of UNRWA, among many brutal policies described in the UNRWA report.

Syria supported the refugees within its border and cooperated with UNRWA to provide them with services. The responsibility for the refugee problem was an international one; UNRWA’s base of contributors should be expanded. The UNRWA should work to improve the condition of the refugees in a way that did not diminish their rights to return. In addition, the refugees and host countries should not be forced to face negative consequences due to the budgetary shortfalls. Considering the difficulties they faced, he also hoped that UNRWA local staff would be treated equitably. In conclusion, he said that the international community should pressure Israel to return to the path of peace to bring about a just solution to the refugee problem.

HARON HASSAN (Jordan) said his country had hosted Palestinian refugees since 1948 and, as a result of the deteriorating services of UNRWA, because of its financial crisis, provided services to them. The issue of Palestinian refugees must be dealt with as a whole, without discrimination between Palestinian refugees related to the country where they lived or on their living conditions. The UNRWA must continue its work until a just and final settlement of the refugee problem had been implemented. In that regard, he hoped the UNRWA mandate would be extended and that the necessary resources for the Agency’s mid-term plan could be provided.

He said Israel continued its aggression against the Palestinian people, violating international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention, in all occupied territories. Israeli practices were solely aimed at destroying Palestinian society and avoiding the principle of a Palestinian State. The Israeli Government must fully cease all operations of violence, including destroying the Palestinian infrastructure and houses, and stop extrajudicial killings and collective punishments. The Road Map must be respected and implemented by the two parties. Furthermore, Israel must facilitate the work of UNRWA staff in the Palestinian territories.

AHMED ABU ZEID (Egypt) said the refugee problem could not be addressed without evaluating the conditions in the Middle East, particularly the deteriorating conditions in the territories over the last four years. Regrettably, the suffering of the Palestinian people was growing -- especially for women, children and elderly -- with the growing intensity of the Israeli military operations, including closings, curfews and establishment of military zones. Those actions worsened the situation of the Palestinian inhabitants every day and prevented UNRWA from fulfilling its noble tasks.

He said any Israeli disengagement from Gaza should be part of Israel’s implementation of the Road Map. It must, therefore, be a complete and comprehensive withdrawal, followed by similar withdrawals from the West Bank. Israel must also abide by the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice concerning the construction of the separation wall. The declining resources available to the Agency were a matter of grave concern. He urged the international community to shoulder its responsibilities towards the deteriorating conditions in the occupied territories and the refugee camps in other countries. Continued violence hampered the efforts of international and regional parties to overcome the current impasse in the peace process and to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.

KAIS KABTANI (Tunisia) expressed appreciation to Mr. Hansen and UNRWA, as well as donor and host countries, for their efforts on behalf of Palestinian refugees. He said UNRWA must be adequately supported until a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question had been found. Israel’s policies had created a humanitarian catastrophe and were making UNRWA’s work increasingly difficult. He denounced those policies and called for all restrictions on UNRWA staff to be lifted.

Any just and lasting peace must take into account all the rights of the Palestinian refugees, he said, including their right of return and their right to their property. Only then would such a peace be able to become the basis of security and stability in the region.

ANDREA SEMADENI (Switzerland) said UNRWA was working in an extremely difficult political context. The economic, social and humanitarian situation, after four years of armed confrontations, was a matter of great concern. The situation was the result of numerous factors, among which violations of international humanitarian law must be mentioned. The crisis was caused by the many obstacles to the freedom of movement, curfews, demolition of houses and infrastructure and by military incursions and operations in connection with extrajudicial executions by the Israeli army. Israel’s right to protect against terrorist attacks, which nothing could justify, was not disputed. Nevertheless, all measures that were taken must be in compliance with international humanitarian law.

He said UNRWA was confronted with many operational challenges. Access was often made difficult or denied. UNRWA installations should be treated as protected locations. He urged the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to respect the Fourth Geneva convention. The occupying Power must guarantee that humanitarian organizations, including UNRWA, could visit the populations of the Palestinian occupied territory safely and without restrictions. The UNRWA must also be given the necessary resources to fulfil its mandate. The Geneva Conference, jointly organized by UNRWA and Switzerland, had identified many areas in which a tripartite partnership between donors, host countries and UNWRA could speed up the Agency’s interventions, as well as the usefulness and effectiveness of its activities for the benefit of refugees.

CESTINO MIGLIORE, Permanent Observer for the Holy See, expressed appreciation for the work of UNRWA. He said the content of the Agency’s report was all too familiar: the delivery of human services amid an unending cycle of violence and terrorism, military action and reaction, all of which represented an unending series of retaliations. The services supplied by UNRWA, the Pontifical Mission for Palestine and many other agencies should normally be the responsibility of local authorities. But pending the return of the parties to the negotiating table, such aid must continue.

He said he was keenly aware of UNRWA’s difficulties in delivering meaningful services to the refugees so adversely affected by the current “undeclared war”. He said that any solution to the overall problem should include guarantees of religious freedom and unhindered access to the holy places in Jerusalem, with the acknowledgement that the city was the common patrimony of the believing world. The family of nations must, he said, challenge all the parties to renew their efforts to bring peace to the region. Only a negotiated, just and lasting peace would fulfil the aspirations of all the peoples of the land. He called for the parties to move courageously to new attitudes of just compromise.

YUSSEF KANAAN, of the Office of the Permanent Observer for the Organization of the Islamic Conference, expressed his gratitude to the Commissioner-General for his work and described a deterioration of conditions for the Palestinian people caused by Israeli actions, including the deaths of children, the destruction of shelter, and the effects of the separation wall. He commended UNRWA for its Jenin Rehabilitation Project and its agreement to cooperate with other organizations to replace homes destroyed in the Gaza Strip.

He said that, considering the adversities described in the UNRWA report and the indispensable role played by the Agency, he unhesitatingly called upon the international community to continue the support of UNRWA’s work by contributing generously to its budget and emergency relief programmes. In that regard, he expressed hope that commitments made in Geneva would be materialize soon and that the fundraising post established in Abu Dhabi would have the desired results among donors in the Arab world. He also welcomed the creation of a $25 million fund aimed at providing direct assistance to people in Gaza following Israeli incursions there. In closing, he reiterated the continuing responsibility of UNRWA towards Palestinians pending the establishment of their State, calling also for Israel to be compelled to return to the negotiating table towards that end.

Background

The General Assembly met today to consider the Report of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) (document A/59/4), which states that, as of 31 July this year, 191 States were now parties to the Statute of the Court, while 65 of them had deposited with the Secretary-General a declaration of acceptance of the Court's compulsory jurisdiction in accordance with its Statute. Further, some 300 bilateral or multilateral treaties provide for the Court to have jurisdiction in the resolution of disputes arising out of their application or interpretation.

The Court was also asked by the General Assembly to render an advisory opinion on the question of the legal consequences of the construction of the wall in the occupied Palestinian territory. On 9 July this year, the ICJ rendered its advisory opinion, in which it first addressed the question of its jurisdiction to give the requested opinion and of the judicial propriety of exercising that jurisdiction. The Court unanimously found that it had jurisdiction to give the said opinion and decided by a vote of 14 to 1 to comply with the request. Then, before addressing the legal consequences of the construction of the wall, the Court considered the question of the legality of the construction of the wall. It found by a vote of 14 to 1 that "The Construction of the wall being built by Israel, the occupying Power, in the occupied Palestinian territory including in and around East Jerusalem, and its associated régime, are contrary to international law."

Regarding the legal consequences of the violations found, the Court distinguished between the consequences for Israel, those for other States, and, where appropriate, for the United Nations. On the consequences for Israel, the ICJ, by 14 votes to 1, found that "Israel is under an obligation to terminate its breaches of international law; it is under an obligation to cease forthwith the works of construction of the wall being built on the occupied Palestinian territory including in and around East Jerusalem, to dismantle forthwith the structure therein situated, and to repeal or render ineffective forthwith all legislative and regulatory acts relating thereto …". The Court also said that Israel is under an obligation to make reparation for all damage caused by the construction of the wall.

The Court found by 14 votes to 1 that the United Nations, and especially the General Assembly and the Security Council, should consider what further action is required to bring to an end the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall and its associated régime, taking due account of the present advisory opinion. 

International Court of Justice

SHI JIUYONG, President of the International Court of Justice

He said the Court's budget for the 2004-2005 biennium had been agreed in advance with the Assembly's urgent request for an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of the construction of a wall in the occupied Palestinian territory. Both the public hearings and the delivery of that opinion attracted unprecedented world attention. Meeting the demands of the media and providing adequate security placed a great burden on the Court's resources. He sincerely hoped that the allocation of such funds would be authorized as soon as possible so that the ICJ had the financial support to perform its role in the year ahead.

RASTAM MOHD ISA (Malaysia)  

He went on to say that the Court's advisory opinion, which ruled that the construction of the wall by Israel was contrary to international law and that Israel was obligated to terminate its breaches of international law, was a significant milestone in the long-running effort to bring to an end the sufferings and humanitarian consequences faced by the people in the occupied Palestinian territory and to ensure a just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine. Malaysia was pleased to have participated through both written and oral submissions in the Open Hearing at the Court in February 2004. The process of seeking and rendering the advisory opinion was a clear manifestation of the healthy relationship between the Assembly and the Court, as envisaged under the Charter. He also welcomed the Court's distribution of press releases, background notes and its handbook to keep the public informed of its work.

FAYSSAL MEKDAD (Syria)

joined those that had conveyed condolences to the United Arab Emirates on the loss of its distinguished and visionary leader. He said his country was anxious to see that international law was respected, and that the Court was the appropriate venue for ensuring justice and settling disputes between peoples and nations. The Middle East region had been particularly affected by disputes and tensions that had turned into open conflicts, he said, highlighting a number of cases that had been decided by the Court, but focusing on the recent advisory opinion condemning Israel's building of a wall in Gaza and the West Bank.

He was convinced that the international community should work to ensure that the Court's opinions and decision were respected. That was crucial in order to ensure the self-determination of the Palestinian people and the establishment of a Palestinian State, particularly since Israel had decided to disregard the ICJ's advisory opinion. Finally, he called for proper and steady funding to ensure that the Court could carry out its mandate unimpeded.

AMINU BASHIR WALI (Nigeria)

He also commended the measures aimed at rationalizing the Court's work, adopted this past July, particularly its decision to increase the number of cases it could review by shortening the period between the closure of written proceedings and the opening of oral arguments. Nigeria believed that adequate funding of the Court would enable the body to keep pace with advances in information and communication technologies (ICT), which could better help it carry out its duties. To that end, the Court's pending request to expand its Computerization Division from one to two professional officers should be given favourable consideration, along with the extrabudgetary expenditures that had arisen as a result of security safeguards put in place while it had been adjudicating the case concerning Israel's construction of a wall in the occupied Palestinian territory. In addition, Nigeria noted with appreciation the contributions made to the Trust Fund during the past year by Finland, Norway and Mexico.

The Secretary-General has the honour to transmit to the members of the General Assembly the interim report on violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, submitted by John Dugard, Special Rapporteur, pursuant to Commission on Human Rights resolutions 1993/2, section A, and 2004/10.

To View the Report (166 KB)

NEW YORK, 8 September (UN Department of Political Affairs) -- The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People will convene the United Nations International Conference of Civil Society in Support of the Palestinian People at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 13 and 14 September. The holding of the Conference is mandated by General Assembly resolutions 58/18 and 58/19 of 3 December 2003.

The Conference will draw on the positive results of the 2002 and 2003 International Conferences of Civil Society. Its theme is “Ending the occupation -- A key prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East”. The aim of the Conference is to provide civil society organizations from all regions of the world with an opportunity to discuss the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, coordinate their activities and develop action-oriented proposals in support of the Palestinian people. Invited speakers will make presentations on various aspects of the role of civil society on the question of Palestine. During discussion periods in each plenary session, and in workshops, non-governmental organization representatives and other participants will have an opportunity to discuss issues of particular interest to civil society organizations. It is envisaged that participants at the close of the Conference will adopt a plan of action. The working languages of the Conference will be Arabic, English, French and Spanish.

The Opening Session will take place on Monday, 13 September, at 10 a.m. in Conference Room 4. Kieran Prendergast, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, will read a message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Statements will also be made by Paul Badji, Chairman of the Committee; Nasser Al-Kidwa, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations; and Phyllis Bennis, Co-Chair, International Coordinating Network for Palestine.

Plenary I will start at 11 a.m. in the same conference room and will discuss “The current situation: Facts on the ground”. Presentations will be made by Gabi Baramki, President, Palestinian Council for Justice and Peace; Rachel Greenspahn, Director for Development and International Outreach, B’Tselem; Jad Isaac, Director General, Applied Research Institute, Jerusalem; Gideon Levy, Columnist, Ha’aretz; Adah Kay, Professor at City University and Co-Author, “Stolen Youth: Israel’s Detention of Palestinian Children”; and Praful Bidwai, Journalist. The session will be followed, at 1.30 p.m., by the screening of documentary films on the question of Palestine, also in Conference Room 4.

Plenary II, entitled “Occupation and international law”, will start at 3.00 p.m. Presentations will be made by Anis F. Kassim, Lawyer of the Palestinian Defence Team to the International Court of Justice; Michael Sfard, Lawyer, representative of HaMoked: Centre for the Defence of the Individual; Susan Akram, Clinical associate professor, Boston University School of Law; Iain Scobbie, Professor of International Law, School of Oriental and African Studies, London; and Victor de Currea-Lugo, expert in international law.

Plenary III will start on Tuesday morning, 14 September 2004, at 10 a.m., in Conference Room 4. Presentations under the theme “The role of civil society: From alleviating human suffering to advocating the end of occupation” will be made by Adam Keller, Spokesperson, Gush Shalom; Raymond Deane, Chairman, Ireland/Palestine Solidarity Committee; Corinne Whitlatch, Executive Director, Churches for Middle East Peace; Max Ozinsky, Chairperson, Not in My Name; Na’eem Jeenah, Spokesperson, Palestine Solidarity Committee; Dennis Brutus, Professor (em.), African Studies, University of Pittsburgh; and Marcia Freedman, Former Member of Knesset and President, Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace. The session will be followed at 1 p.m. by the presentation of the final document prepared by the Steering Committee.

Workshops devoted to such themes as “How to work with the media”; “Inter-religious mobilization”; “Working with the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice”; “International Protection: What does it mean and strategies to get there?” and “The question of Palestine within the global peace movement” will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Conference Rooms B, 8, 6, C and 5, respectively. The resource persons will include Ahmed Bouzid, Chairman, Palestine Media Watch; Joseph Cornelius Donnelly, Board Member, Israel Palestine NGO Working Group; Zaha Hassan, Co-Chairperson, U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation; Jeff Handmaker, Researcher at the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights, University of Utrecht; Bahia Amra, Fellow, Health, Development, Information and Policy Institute; Chris Doyle, Director, Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding; and Hani Khalil, Chairman, Palestine Working Group, United for Peace and Justice.

Invitations to participate in the Conference have been sent to civil society organizations on the mailing list of the Division for Palestinian Rights. Governments, intergovernmental organizations and United Nations agencies have been invited to attend as observers. All the plenary sessions of the Conference will be webcast live at http://www.un.org/webcast. The plenary webcasts will be archived for continuous access through the Internet. The report of the Conference will be issued as a publication of the Division in due course.