Tactics Institute is seriously alarmed by news of Israel’s alleged hell plan, a strategy to heighten the blockade of Gaza to pressure Hamas. The strategy, involving further severance of vital necessities like food, water, and electricity, is worsening the misery of more than 2.2 million Palestinians and evoking serious human rights issues.
The recent trends, as noted by Israeli public radio Kan, indicate that the Israeli government is pursuing a policy of “increasingly escalated isolation” of Gaza. Such actions blatantly contradict international humanitarian standards, as they specifically target civilians by denying them life-giving resources. The prices of staples such as flour and sugar have already doubled hours after the announcement of the blockade, moving civilians towards famine.
Collective punishment of civilians is a breach of international law. Intentionally starving and dehydrating a besieged population is an inhumane act that will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and fuel regional tensions.
Palestinians in the northern Gaza area, already having been displaced twice or more, now are again facing increased threats of forced displacement. The Israeli authorities are reportedly planning to relocate civilians southward, opening up space for the resumption of large-scale military activities. Deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and the hindering of humanitarian assistance have been universally decried by international human rights groups.
Tactics Institute calls on the Israeli Government to immediately halt any actions that restrict humanitarian aid and to comply with international humanitarian law. The United Nations and the International Community to act rapidly and call on an end to policies that target collectively the population of Gaza in a punitive nature.
Arab League Member States to urge a diplomatic solution that makes protecting Palestinian civilians the top priority and guarantees full humanitarian access. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is deteriorating hour by hour and requires immediate action to avoid further innocent lives being lost.
