Ref: 48/2010

The Palestinian Centre for Human
Rights (PCHR) welcomes the strong position taken yesterday by the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

On 14 June 2010 the ICRC issued a
concise but thoroughly documented report which clearly confirms the illegality
of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip.

The position of the ICRC is straight
forward and clear:

– The complete closure imposed by Israel on Gaza for years is
in violation of international law;

– The closure constitutes a form of collective punishment of
the civilian population of Gaza, in violation of Israel’s obligations under
international humanitarian law;

– The situation in Gaza cannot be resolved by providing
humanitarian aid, the only solution is to completely lift the siege.

The ICRC’s most authoritative report
finally confirms what PCHR and the other human rights organizations have been
affirming since years. It strengthens our call and efforts to put an end to the
inhumane situation of the Palestinian population of Gaza under siege.

PCHR calls the international
community to take into serious consideration this report, which is made public
in a timely fashion, when the entire world is focused on the illegal blockade
of Gaza, following to the deadly attack on the humanitarian flotilla of 31 May
2010.

The message conveyed by the ICRC
cannot be misunderstood: there is no other sustainable solution than a complete
lift of the siege.

The report shows that the entire
living environment, economy and health-care system of the Gaza Strip has been
ruined and destroyed as a consequence of the prolonged closure.

The level of unemployment, poverty
and the lack of basic infrastructures cannot be healed by simply loosening the
closure. As the ICRC stressed forcefully: “the dire situation in Gaza cannot be
resolved by providing humanitarian aid”.

PCHR repeatedly denounced that the
crisis that is affecting Gaza is a 100% preventable, man made crisis, imposed
by Israel as a form of collective punishment on innocent civilians.

The 1.7 million people living in
Gaza have the right to live normal, dignified lives, to regain their right to
work, study, receive medical treatment and their freedom of movement.

PCHR calls the international
community and all relevant bodies to fulfill their obligations under
international law and ensure that the illegal closure of the Gaza Strip is
finally brought to an end.

The full ICRC Report can be
consulted at

http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/palestine-update-140610