The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas said that it followed with interest the statements made by Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory Lynn Hastings on Gaza’s catastrophic humanitarian situation and the tight restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation.

"We followed with interest the statements made by Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory Lynn Hastings on Gaza’s catastrophic humanitarian situation and her obvious reference to the serious consequences of the ongoing Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip and the tight restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation following its most recent military offensive on the coastal enclave," said Basem Naim, member of Hamas’ International Relations Office.

In her remarks, Hastings called on the Israeli occupation to abide by international humanitarian law, saying: “Humanitarian aid is not conditional.”

Hastings also urged the Israeli occupation to adhere to international resolutions and take all measures necessary to lift its blockade on the Gaza Strip.

"We reaffirm that the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to the Israeli siege, particularly following the latest Israeli aggression, and its repercussions on the economic, social, and psychological aspects of life recreate dynamics that push hard for a new escalation," Naim added.

"The Palestinian people will not accept returning to square one every time and negotiate on their basic rights guaranteed by international humanitarian law even if they were at war," he stressed.

"Thus, we call on all sides to assume their responsibilities and exert pressure on the Israeli occupation to immediately and unconditionally end its siege on the Gaza Strip as the alternatives are dangerous and costly; no calm or stability will be achieved as long as the Palestinian people do not have a free and dignified life."