Brussels, 01/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - European Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel has expressed his increasing concern for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza caused by the continued closure of the Gaza crossings, and has called on Israeli authorities to allow humanitarian workers free access to the people of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
His comments came on Monday 1 December, the day when a Libyan vessel was prevented by the Israeli navy from delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. In a press release, Michel says that “since 4 November, only one crossing (Kerem Shalom) has been open for four days only (17, 24, 26 and 27 November), with limited quantities of humanitarian food supplies allowed through. I have repeatedly condemned rocket attacks targeting Israeli civilians and I reiterate this condemnation today. However, the continued closure of Gaza crossings is a form of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians, which is a violation of International Humanitarian Law”.
He goes on to say that “my main concern is that humanitarian aid gets to the civilian populations in need of it most” and says that that was why “the neutrality, impartiality and independence of humanitarian organisations must be respected allowing their representatives immediate, free and secure access to vulnerable Palestinian populations”.
In more general terms, the Commission, in the press release, highlights “the need for an end to all impediments to the freedom of movement of civilians and humanitarian workers as well as actions that can lead to increased numbers of internally displaced people”. (A.N./transl.rt)