In 2016, Palestine refugees across the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) faced continued Israeli occupation, repeated violations of human rights and high levels of violence. In Gaza, the political and security situation remains volatile. Two and a half years on from the 2014 hostilities, which caused unprecedented destruction and loss of life, 6,750 Palestine refugee families remain displaced and repairs to tens of thousands of homes have yet to be completed. The land, air and sea blockade of Gaza will enter its eleventh year in June 2017. With opportunities for employment stifled by the blockade – the unemployment rate remains among the highest worldwide – almost 1 million Palestine refugees are dependent on food assistance, a tenfold increase on the 100,000 that required such support in 2000.
