The ceasefire agreed between the Government of Israel and Hamas on 21 November 2012, following the recent military escalation in Gaza and southern Israel, provides an unprecedented opportunity to end the cycle of violence that has affected too many innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians. The parties agreed to negotiate ‘opening the crossings’ into the Gaza Strip and to put an end to restrictions on residents’ free movements. It is therefore also a unique chance to lift the Israeli blockade on Gaza, which has had a devastating impact on the lives and well-being of Gaza’s civilian population and on Palestinian development.
In this briefing note Oxfam sets out practical recommendations to better protect civilians on both sides from violence and to achieve an end to the collective punishment of Gaza’s 1.6 million residents, while addressing Israel’s security concerns.
