Warning of dangerous deterioration in Gaza

Hemaya Center for Human Rights warned on Monday of a dangerous deterioration that has begun to affect all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip as a result of the curfew imposed due to the outbreak of the Corona epidemic within the community, in light of the Israeli tightening the siege and imposing more restrictions.

It stressed in a statement, a copy of which obtained by Safa Press Agency, that "what the Israeli authorities do constitutes collective punishment against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip that amounts to being a crime according to the Rome Statute."

The center also renewed its warning about the danger of continuing restrictions on the crossings, preventing the entry of fuel for the power plant, and controlling the entry of goods.

In addition, it demanded for pressure on Israel to respect international law, end restrictions and lift the 14-year-imposed-siege, in addition to assuming its responsibilities as the occupying power towards the inhabitants of the occupied territories.

It called on the World Health Organization, the League of Arab States and friendly countries to work to grant the necessary medical devices and equipment to the strip to deal with the epidemic.

Furthermore, the Center asked on international institutions and Palestinian civil society institutions to mobilize in order to ensure the lifting of restrictions to spare the strip a humanitarian disaster.

Despite the deterioration of the health situation as a result of the outbreak of the Corona epidemic within the Gaza Strip, the residents' loss of their sources of income, and the continued blackout of about 18 hours a day, the Israeli authorities imposed severe and inhumane restrictions and tightened the siege since the start of August.

Source : Safa