The conditions in the OPT has exacerbated the humanitarian situation for Palestinian civilians. Unemployment and poverty rates have increased dramatically. The rate of unemployment is 34% in the OPT as a whole and 44% in the Gaza Strip. This rate rises to 55% during times of complete closure imposed by Israeli Occupation Forces. Likewise, the poverty rate in the OPT is nearly 50%, with the Gaza Strip rate at approximately 70%. This in turn has impacted the per capita income, which decreased by 32% over the past three years, and is actually 40% lower today than it was three years ago. On the economic front, the gross national product decreased to dangerous levels, threatening the agricultural, industrial, commerce, transportation and tourism sectors. Read more about Poverty in the Gaza Strip 

On Sunday evening, 23 April 2006, Israeli armed forces extra-judicially executed two members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, in Bethlehem. Israeli forces also wounded and arrested a third member. Israel later claimed that one of the victims had died from his wounds following his evacuation to Hadasa Hospital in Jerusalem, but investigations conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights refute this claim and prove that IOF executed the victim after his arrest. This latest attack comes after decisions taken by the Israeli political and military establishment to continue to target Palestinian activists. Read more about Israeli attack: Extrajudicial killing of two Palestinians in Bethlehem 

Canada and the US, followed by the EU and Japan, have suspended their financial aid to the Palestinian Authority. This came in the wake of the Palestinian legislative council elections that were held last January, the resulting victory of Hamas that secured the movement a parliamentary majority, and the subsequent formation of the Palestinian government. These parties, in an attempt to compensate for their decision to cut aid to the PA, have decided to continue to provide humanitarian assistance through the United Nations and through NGO’s. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights outlines its position. Read more about Punishing the Victim: Donors cutting aid to the PA 

This week, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child in Beit Lahia. A Palestinian activist died from previous wounds. At least 40 Palestinians, including 19 children were wounded by Israeli gunfire. Israel continued to shell Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces conducted 35 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, particularly in Nablus. In these military raids, Israeli forces arrested 74 Palestinians, including 11 children. Israeli forces arrested wives and mothers of allegedly wanted Palestinians. Israeli forces turned ten Palestinian homes into military posts. Israel continues to impose a total siege on the occupied Palestinian territories. Settlers continue to attack Palestinian civilians and property. Read more about Weekly report on human rights violations 

This week, Israeli forces killed 19 Palestinians, including three children. Ten of them, including a man, his child and two brothers were killed in an extrajudicial execution. At least 94 Palestinians, including 32 children were wounded by Israeli gunfire. Israel continued to shell Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip, particularly the northern area. Israeli forces conducted 27 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, concentrated mainly in Nablus. At least 70 Palestinians, including five children and a girl, were arrested by Israel, while seven Palestinian homes were turned into military posts. Israeli forces busted into al-Ahli hospital in Hebron and arrested injured Palestinians. Israel continued to impose a total siege on the occupied Palestinian territories. Read more about Weekly report on human rights violations