Following the Annapolis conference, negotiations are resuming to deliver a final peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians by the end of 2008. However, the conference side-stepped the continuing blockade of Gaza and debilitating movement restrictions in the West Bank. Oxfam has published a new paper, which examines in detail how critical these issues are to achieving a successful peace process that results in an independent Palestine existing alongside a secure Israel.

In the paper we call for an inclusive peace process involving all political actors and other stakeholders, including Hamas, refugees, and civil society. It also urges everyone involved to end policies that seek to divide the Palestinian people. Finally, we urge all parties to uphold their obligations under the Geneva Conventions and take immediate steps to ensure that civilians are protected, including ending indiscriminate rocket attacks against Israel.

Read the paper: Breaking the impasse: ending the humanitarian stranglehold on Palestine