Gisha to Defense Minister: Restore Humanitarian Services to Gaza and Avoid Further Harm to Civilians
Disruption of electricity and water supply;
• Damage to the sewage system, threatening the health of Gaza residents;
• Closing Rafah Crossing and preventing thousands of Gaza residents from returning home;
• Restrictions on movement within Gaza, especially access to Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza;
• Preventing passage of goods through Karni Crossing, causing shortages of food, medicine and equipment.
• These activities constitute collective punishment in violation of the international law, which binds all countries.
Gisha demands that the Defense Minister:
• Refrain from further harm to the civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and the provision of humanitarian services;
• Open Kerem Shalom Crossing to European Union personnel and provide the security assurances necessary to permit Rafah Crossing to reopen;
• Increase the supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip, in order to mitigate the shortage caused by destruction of Gaza’s transformers;
• Increase the supply of fuel to the Gaza Strip, in order to provide alternatives to electricity;
• Permit the entrance of humanitarian goods and the equipment necessary to repair Gaza’s electricity, roads and water system;
• Assist and permit assistance to the civilian population in Gaza whose fabric of life has been severely damaged by the Israeli military.
• According to Professor Kenneth Mann, Chair of Gisha’s Advisory Board: "Harming Palestinian civilians violates international law. It is contrary to Israel’s interests in preserving the resources critical for normal life: water, electricity, food, fuel and health services."