38 The Independent Commission for Human Rights - ICHR Media institutions situated in the Al-Jala’, Al-Jawharah, and Ash-Shurouq towers in the Ar-Rimal neighbourhood, Gaza city centre, were totally destroyed. These institutions incurred heavy losses due to the destruction of exorbitant media equipment, including satellite transmitters, studios, and other devices used to report on arbitrary Israeli practices against Palestinians as well as violations on IHL.45 Air bombardment also damaged homes belonging to a number of journalists. Of these, 22 houses were no longer inhabitable.46 Movement restrictions and Gaza siege have hampered the ability of artists and writers to take part in cultural events and exhibitions hosted by cultural institutions in the West Bank.47 1.1.10 Information and communications technology Israeli actions and practices have greatly impeded development of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector in Palestine, violating Palestinian citizens’ right to access communication grids, particularly broadband networks and telecom services. Palestinians are deprived of installing advanced, high-tech ground-based and satellite networks and receiving assistance and technical support to develop the ICT sector. The Israeli occupying authorities also continued to obstruct Palestinian attempts to invoke International Law as a point of reference to deal with and coordinate ICT and post operations. As an occupying Power, Israel has used force on the ground to serve its own political goals and economic interests in the ICT and post sector. Israel has deliberately violated conventions, which stress the need for cooperation between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to create up-to-date Palestinian telecom networks. Obliged to facilitate this process, Israel should allow to establish networks, initiate excavation works, and allocate necessary and adequate frequencies to put these networks into operation. As a result of Israeli measures, major challenges encountered by the ICT sector have been as follows:48 • Israel refuses to implement resolutions of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN organisation, on the right of Palestine to its scarce resources, including frequencies, numbering, and right of way. Palestine has also been denied the right to establish high-tech groundbased and satellite networks and receive assistance and technical support to develop and enhance the ICT sector. • Israel continues to seize control of and manipulate international communications gateways and allow external access for Palestinian companies through Israeli operators by renting capacities at unfair terms and prices. Israel also smuggle international calls to Palestine. • Israel prevents the installation of an international communication portal for the Palestinian side. Palestinian corporations are prevented from creating physical links to connect Palestinian areas or using global submarine cables. • Israel places obstacles to entering (importing) telecom equipment needed to enhance and control telecom systems, subjects to surveillance telecom networks, wireless transmission across the oPt, and ICT development devices. Israel prevents the entry of and withholds telecom equip- 45 46 47 48 channel, Dubai TV, ZDF, Tayf Media Institution, Hona al-Quds Media Institution, Al-Hayat al-Jadida newspaper, Al-Aqsa radio, Tayf radion, and Al-Aqsa satellite channel. An air strike on the As-Sousi tower caused partial damage to the Alam News company. Targeting of the Ru’ya tower resulted in partially damaging Masdar News Agency, offices of the Media Development Centre of Birzeit University, Palestinian Today channel, Filistiniyat offices, Gaza Centre for Journalism and Press Freedom, and Al-Manar satellite channel. In addition to Ma’an News Agency offices on the Wattan tower, the Falastin Al-Aan [Palestine Now] website sustained damage by an air raid on the Ajjour building. Eleven (11) offices of media production companies, print shops, and publishing houses were completely damaged after the Kuheil, Al-Waleed, and Al-Awqaf buildings were the object Israeli attacks. Ibid. Government Information Office, op. cit. Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights, The Reality of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Gaza Strip, 2021. Letter from the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MoTIT). Key Israeli Violations and Practices against the Telecommunications and Information Technology Sector in 2021, March 2022. The Situation of Human Rights in Palestine