Press Release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

“Israeli” renewed restrictions threaten to blow up the situation

25-05-2021

The occupation forces still close the border crossings of Gaza, prevent the basic supplies, including fuel and animal feed, and impose restrictions on medical supplies and humanitarian aid, ignoring the efforts of the mediators to sustain the ceasefire in Gaza Strip.

The closure of border crossings cost the traders heavy losses as a result of the damage of their goods, and the additional fees on storage. It can also cause a deep economic crisis in Gaza Strip and increase the already high rates of unemployment.

“Occupation minister of defense” stated yesterday that he ordered the confiscation of goods at the cost of millions of shekels under the pretext of “dual-use”; a false pretext to tighten the blockade and seize the goods and the money of the Gazans.

As a result of the prevention of fuel supply to the sole power plant in Gaza, the residents of Gaza receive now 2-3 hours of power supply daily. It should be noted that the lack of power supply negatively impacts other services, including water supply, communication, and sewage processing, which can cause a humanitarian and environmental crisis.

The occupation didn’t even show mercy to animals that are threatened to die as a result of the prevention of their feed.

In the meantime, the occupation still restricts the movement of fishermen. It should be noted that the sea represents an important source of living for the fishermen, one of the most impoverished groups in Gaza.

While the occupation still restricts medical supplies and humanitarian aid, hospitals in Gaza are in critical need of medicine and medical equipment in order to provide health care to hundreds of wounded due to the aggression.

Regarding these escalating steps by the occupation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the following:

• First, we confirm that these restrictions are a kind of collective punishment against Gazans in order to punish them for their steadfastness in the latest aggression, and a war crime.
• Second, we warn of an imminent humanitarian disaster in Gaza Strip due to the sustained closure of border crossings, and the prevention of fuel and basic supplies. Also, we warn of an environmental crisis due to the stop of sewage processing facilities.
• Third, tightening the restrictions imposed on Gaza by the occupation can lead to serious consequences on political and field levels and cause the failure of mediators’ efforts to sustain the ceasefire in the strip.
• Fourth, we call the mediators and the international community to immediately act to fix the causes of the aggression so it doesn’t flare up once again. In this regard, they should stop the violations of the occupation in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa mosque and lift the siege of Gaza.
• Fifth, we call upon humanitarian aid organizations to provide Gaza Strip with the necessary food and medical supplies as soon as possible and exert pressure on the occupation to allow it into Gaza.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Gaza – Palestine