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OCHA warns of disastrous situation in Bethlehem

Representatives of the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs in the Palestinian land have warned that the incessant Israeli attempts to control lands, establish bypass roads, and settlement expansion were negatively affecting the humanitarian conditions of Palestinian citizens in Bethlehem

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Representatives of the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs in the Palestinian land have warned that the incessant Israeli attempts to control lands, establish bypass roads, and settlement expansion were negatively affecting the humanitarian conditions of Palestinian citizens in Bethlehem.

A report by OCHA on Monday examines how Israeli measures, such as the wall, settlements and closures have impacted Palestinian livelihoods, development and residential expansion in Bethlehem.

"Only 13% of Bethlehem land is available for Palestinian use out of 660 sq. kilometers and much of it is fragmented", the report said, adding, "However, actions like freezing construction of the Barrier (separation wall) inside the West Bank, and opening closed military areas and nature reserves for Palestinian development, could restore parts of the lost space to the governorate".