On Sunday, in a latest escalation, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed four Palestinians, including two children and a woman, and injured 6 others. This came shortly after Israel decided to close Gaza’s crossings and block the entry of aid and goods, entrenching the use of starvation as a weapon of war as part of Israel’s genocide against Palestinians.
This escalation comes after the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza between Israel and Hamas Movement, which lasted for 42 days, and after Israel has refused to begin negotiations for implementing the second phase of the agreement, unilaterally declaring its renunciation of the agreement brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
According to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights’ (PCHR) field documentation, at around 07:30 on Sunday, 02 March 2025, an Israeli drone fired at least one missile at Palestinians in al-Bora area in Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, two brothers, Hothifa (21) and Mohammed (14) Ibrahim al-Masri, were killed.
Moreover, at approximately 10:30, the IOF stationed along the Palestinian-Egyptian borders in southern Rafah opened fire at the houses in al-Edari neighborhood in southern Rafah. As a result, Mahmoud Medhat Ahmed Aabu Harb (17) was killed inside his house located near al-Salam Wedding Hall in the neighborhood, about 700 meters away from the Palestinian-Egyptian borders, south of the city.
At approximately 11:10, Israeli artillery fired several shells, and quadcopter drones dropped bombs on al-Faraheen neighborhood in ‘Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Yunis. As a result, Wafaa Fathi Fseifes (22) was killed, while another woman and a man were injured.
Furthermore, the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Sunday that 4 fatalities and 6 more injured arrived at Gaza’s hospitals after the IOF launched several attacks across the Gaza Strip, bringing the death toll since the declaration of the ceasefire to 116, with more than 490 injuries, according to the MOH.1
Earlier this morning, the IOF announced the halt of all goods and supplies entry into the Gaza Strip, coinciding with the end of the first phase of the ceasefire. This decision raises concerns about the further deterioration of the already catastrophic humanitarian situation endured by 2.3 million people in Gaza. Despite the ceasefire, the conditions of the people in Gaza have not improved due to the repercussions of the genocide amid Israel’s destruction of more than 70% of buildings in Gaza, and the lack of humanitarian services in temporary shelters.
Since the ceasefire, PCHR’s field researchers have documented many airstrikes and tens of shooting incidents by the IOF, who are still stationed inside the Strip, whether on the Palestinian-Egyptian borders in southern Rafah or along the Gaza Strip’s eastern borders. Additionally, the IOF have imposed obstacles over the past few weeks on the quantity and quality of aid and goods entering Gaza, including blocking and obstructing the entry of mobile homes, construction materials, and dozens of goods that are a priority for civilians after more than 16 months of genocidal war. The IOF are also obstructing the entry of medical devices and equipment necessary for hospitals, as well as heavy machinery required for removing rubble and retrieving victims’ bodies.
PCHR condemns the killing of civilians and calls upon the international community to scale up efforts to ensure a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza strip, including protecting civilians and alleviating the devastating impact of the genocide committed against them.
PCHR warns that Israel’s decision to close Gaza’s crossings and block the entry of aid constitute a blatant and clear violation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s ruling issued on March 28, 2024, which unanimously ordered the implementation of all necessary and effective measures to ensure the entry of essential food supplies to Gaza’s population without delay.
PCHR demands enforcing the ICJ’s rulings, obligating Israel to lift the siege, reverse the crossings closure decision, and ensure the uninterrupted entry of humanitarian aid, essential devices, equipment and goods to meet the needs of over 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, who have suffered from starvation and a lack of basic services for months and are now in desperate need for urgent and adequate shelter.
PCHR also urges the international community to adhere to the provisions of international criminal law and principles of global justice and take decisive action to hold Israel, its leaders and those responsible for committing grave international crimes against the Palestinian people accountable and to bring them to justice before international and national courts. PCHR warns that Inaction in this regard encourages impunity and undermines the rule of law worldwide.
