Israel Accused of Exploiting Regional Tensions to Intensify Gaza Siege
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the Israeli regime has suspended the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip until further notice, according to data published by the Mehr News Agency and reported by the Hebrew-language newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
This comes at a time when aid had already been entering Gaza in a limited capacity, and the occupying regime has consistently failed to adhere to its commitments under the ceasefire agreement.
Human Rights Center: Closing Gaza Crossings Constitutes Collective Punishment
The Palestinian Information Center, quoting the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, has condemned the Israeli regime’s decision to close the Gaza Strip crossings, including Kerem Shalom and Rafah, citing heightened military tensions with Iran. The center described this as an opportunistic use of regional developments to impose further collective punishment on Gaza’s two million Palestinian residents.
In a statement released on Monday, the center declared that the decision, made by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) to close the crossings indefinitely, is part of a recurring policy of punishing Palestinian civilians. It also highlights the practice of linking their humanitarian situation to political and security developments that are unrelated to the people of Gaza.
The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor emphasized that closing crossings and denying people essential supplies is a clear violation of international humanitarian law. It stressed that civilians should not be subjected to the consequences of regional conflicts or used as instruments of political pressure.
The center pointed out that this decision was made amidst an already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where humanitarian aid and fuel continue to enter the Strip at levels significantly below those stipulated in last October’s ceasefire agreement. Field data indicates a persistent gap between the actual needs of Gaza’s population and the quantity of aid permitted by the Israeli regime. A substantial portion of the commitments regarding the entry of fuel and aid trucks, as per the agreement, remain unfulfilled.
The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned that any further closure of crossings, even temporary, will have severe repercussions for the humanitarian situation in Gaza. This is particularly concerning given the acute shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, and the continuous strain on the healthcare sector in the region.
The center added that thousands of patients and injured individuals rely on the open passage of crossings for medical treatment and services. The halt in travel and the prevention of essential supplies entering the Strip exacerbate the suffering of the population and endanger the lives of the most vulnerable groups.
The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor reiterated that the fundamental rights of civilians, including the right to access food, medicine, shelter, and freedom of movement, are guaranteed under international law and cannot be suspended or restricted under the pretext of security or political developments.
The center called for the immediate and unconditional reopening of all Gaza Strip crossings, ensuring the continuous flow of humanitarian and commercial aid, permitting the free movement of patients and travelers, and full adherence to the agreed-upon quantities of aid and fuel.
Furthermore, the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor urged the international community to intervene immediately to prevent the use of regional developments as a pretext for intensifying the siege on Gaza. It called for action to protect civilians and hold accountable those responsible for serious violations of international law.
