"Economic, social and psychological consequences of closures are extreme. Palestinians cannot go to work, products cannot be transported and agricultural produce cannot be harvested and sold. Cultural and social lifeis severely limited while children lose weeks of schooling," the organization said.

In response to a spate of suicide bomb attacks by Palestinian armed groups killing dozens of Israeli civilians, Israeli authorities have begun to construct a heavily protected security fence in the Occupied Territories. Some Palestinian communities have been placed on the Israeli side of the barrier, virtually cutting them off from the rest of the West Bank.

By demolishing houses of families of suicide bombers or wanted Palestinians the Israeli authorities punish the families collectively. The demolition of houses is prohibited under the Fourth Geneva Convention except for cases of absolute military necessity.

In addition to violating the Fourth Geneva Convention the security measures taken by Israel also violate its obligations under international Human Rights standards. The reoccupation has been accompanied by the rounding up and arbitrary detention of hundreds of Palestinians, who are held often in degrading conditions without charge or trial.