CHARTING A NEW COURSE – Overcoming the stalemate in Gaza
JOINT AGENCY BRIEFING PAPER
13 APRIL 2015 :: 30 pages
Pdf: https://www.oxfam.org/en/research/charting-new-course-overcoming-stalemate-gaza
Overview
In 2014, after unprecedented destruction and suffering in Gaza, international donors pledged $3.5bn and a change in approach. Six months later, reconstruction and recovery have barely begun, there has been no accountability for violations of international law, and Gaza remains cut off from the West Bank. This paper outlines an achievable course of action to address the root causes of the recurrent conflict and put international engagement with Gaza on the right course.

Report signatories include:
ActionAidAlianzapor la Solidaridad
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
Asamblea de Cooperaciónpor la Paz (ACPP)
CARE International
CCFD-Terre Solidaire
CCP Japan
Christian Aid
Church of Sweden
Council for Arab-British Understanding
Cooperazione per lo SviluppodeiPaesiEmergenti (COSPE)
DanChurchAid (DCA)
Diakonia
GVC
Handicap International
Heinrich Böll Foundation
HelpAge International
Horyzon – Swiss Youth Development Organization
Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC)
KinderUSA
Medical Aid for Palestinians (Map – UK)
Medicos del Mundo MDM-Spain
Médecins du Monde France
Médecins du Monde Switzerland
Medicos del Mundo MDM-Spain
medico international
medico international schweiz
Mennonite Central Committee
Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
Overseas
Oxfam
Première Urgence – Aide MédicaleInternationale
Quaker Council for European Affairs
Rebuilding Alliance
Save the Children
Secours Islamique France
Secours Catholique – Caritas France
Terre des hommes Foundation
Terre des Hommes Italy
The Carter Center
The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
The Lutheran World Federation
The Swedish Organization for Individual Relief/ IM – Swedish Development Partner (SOIR)
United Civilians for Peace, Netherlands

SUMMARY
Operation Protective Edge – the codename used by Israel for the 51 day military operation1 and the associated conflict between Israel, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups – has inflicted unprecedented destruction and human suffering in Gaza.2 This was the third such major military operation in six years, further complicating recovery for a civilian population sealed off by a blockade and separated economically, socially and politically from Palestinians in the West Bank. Shortly after Israel and Palestinian armed groups agreed to a temporary ceasefire, donors from around the world gathered in Cairo to pledge $3.5bn for the reconstruction of Gaza. Six months later, there has been no accountability to address violations of international law, only 26.8 percent of the money has been released, reconstruction and recovery have barely begun, and people in Gaza remain in dire straits.

This paper outlines an achievable course of action that, if implemented, could make significant progress in addressing the root causes of the recurrent conflict and towards the realization of a just, durable peace that would benefit Israelis and Palestinians alike. By directly addressing the different actors that have distinct responsibilities towards Gaza – from Israel and the international community to the Palestinian Authority and Hamas – the signatories to this report outline what each party can and must do to end the conflict and ensure Palestinians in Gaza can realize their rights. It is time for these actors to work together effectively to change the course for Gaza before it is too late.

The main recommendations of this report are:
:: Ending the cycle of violence
All parties should immediately resume negotiations for a long-term ceasefire that addresses the need for sustainable reconstruction, tackles the root causes of the conflict and can deliver long-lasting security for both Israelis and Palestinians. Negotiations should include all concerned parties, particularly women, in keeping with UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

Both the Government of Israel and Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas, must abide by international humanitarian and human rights law in the conduct of hostilities.

The international community must demand an end to violations of international law, and push for greater accountability of all parties, including guarantees of non-repetition.3

:: Committing to principled assistance, reconstruction and recovery
States should comply with their third state responsibilities not to aid or assist rights violations with respect to companies that contribute to such violations. This should include, where appropriate, adopting clear guidance to national companies, including state-owned companies, and pension and investment funds, to ensure that they undertake adequate due diligence and to ensure they do not support companies whose actions support violations of international law.4

Palestinian political actors must prioritize reconstruction as a humanitarian imperative. International donors should work with the Palestinian Government of National Consensus to take a holistic approach to reconstruction in Gaza, initially through the development of ministerial action plans for early recovery efforts, adequate and sustainable housing, and large-scale infrastructure.

Egypt should also fulfil its third state obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance.5

Donors should make good on the pledges made at the Cairo Conference and move forward with reconstruction and recovery projects for Gaza. Given the devastation of the economy in Gaza, donor funding should wholly subsidize construction materials, prioritizing the most vulnerable.

As an immediate measure, funding and technical support should be made available to enable people to buy the necessary materials and labour to complete housing repairs.

:: Making the necessary shift: Ending the blockade and the separation between Gaza and the West Bank
Israel must lift the blockade and open all crossings into and out of Gaza; priority should be given for the unimpeded entry and exit of goods, as a necessary prerequisite to meet humanitarian needs and to ensure sustainable economic recovery and development.

Israel must allow free movement of Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territory, in line with their obligations as an occupying power, with individual restrictions on movement placed only in exceptional cases of legitimate security concern, as defined by international humanitarian law.

The international community, in particular the Quartet of the US, the EU, Russia and the UN, should propose a time-bound plan to support an end to the blockade, which can be implemented and monitored through relevant UN mechanisms.

The international community should promptly develop a common response to the government of Israel if immediate progress is not made to lift the blockade.

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Press Release
World not delivering on Gaza reconstruction promises, new report warns
Published:
13 April 2015