The Independent Commission for Human Rights - ICHR 27 The Israeli occupying authorities have deprived Palestinians of their right to construct and develop their local communities. To this end, Israel issues demolition and stop work orders and confiscates construction equipment, particularly when community infrastructure projects are initiated. Worth of note, the selection of infrastructure projects is in line with the list of the development needs of these Palestinian communities. They also fall within the boundaries of respective community structural schemes, which were submitted to the Israeli side more than 18 months ago. This is the duration agreed to under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the European Union (EU) on the implementation of infrastructure projects throughout Area C.18 The Israeli occupying authorities disrupted and delayed the implementation of more than 13 infrastructure projects, supervised by the Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF) and Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) and funded by international development institutions.19 The implementation of many projects was stalled in several local government units (LGUs) and MoLG directorate district offices across Area C, including pavement of the Idhna-Taffuh access road. The MoLG was not able to obtain Israel’s permission to work on some sites. Because Israeli approvals were not given, the implementation of the following projects was obstructed: rehabilitation of the Awarta-Yanun road, rehabilitation and pavement of the Aqraba-Yanun road, rehabilitation and pavement of the eastern entrance to the Jurish village, and rehabilitation of the main street in the Majdal Bani Fadil village. In addition to the rehabilitation and pavement of internal roads in Az-Za’ayyem, the construction of a public park in Beit Iksa was suspended, allegedly because both areas were located in Area C and citing the lack of needed permits. Israel also stopped the construction and finishing of the Al-Jiftlik mixed basic school, claiming that a building permit had not been issued by the Israeli Civil Administration. The Ministry of Education (MoE) addressed communications to the Palestinian Civil Affairs Authority on this issue.20 1.1.4 Health Contrary to the principle of “Health for All”, Israeli policies have obstructed Palestinian government action on the right to health and Palestinian access to health services, particularly in Area C. Apart from violating the Palestinian right to life and physical integrity, the IOF targeted medical centres, raided hospitals, and obstructed and denied access to ambulances. Across the West Bank, military checkpoints and lockdowns impeded the movement of medical personnel, limiting the capacity of the Ministry of Health (MoH) to provide medical services to Palestinians and deliver primary healthcare services throughout the oPt. In villages isolated behind the Separation Wall, Israeli measures impeded access to health services. For example, access to and out of the Barta’a village requires that local residents pass through a Wall gate, where they are subjected to physical searches. A special permit is required to access the village. The gate at the entrance to Barta’a has hindered access for medical staff and hampered the local population capacity to travel and receive medical treatment outside the village. The construction of fixed health clinics was prevented in Area C, including in Al-Jiftlik which relies on mobile clinics. Mobile clinics were also targeted in Massafer Yatta. As is the case across Area C, Massafer Yatta, Sussia, and Northern Jordan Valley areas mainly depend on these mobile clinic. In addition to short medical services, healthcare was obstructed in Massafer Yatta. The Israeli occupying authorities have not allowed the construction of any fixed clinics or permanent or semi-permanent buildings without a licence. Mobile clinics have always been at risk of dismantlement. Also, the mobile clinic 18 Funded by the EU, infrastructure projects are implemented by the Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF). 20 Letter from the MoLG Policy Unit, March 2022. 19 Letter from the MoLG Policy Unit, March 2022. Twenty Seventh Annual Report 2021