For over a week, Israel has blocked all humanitarian access to the destroyed border strip. This means that only food, medical supplies and fuel from the depleting warehouses in Gaza are still reaching the people. The Israeli Government discontinued electricity supplies three days ago in addition to this. These steps are unacceptable, they are incompatible with Israel’s obligations under international law and they must serve as a wake-up call for the international community. In its order of 28 March 2024, the International Court of Justice explicitly mentions safeguarding the water and electricity supply as one of Israel’s obligations under international law.

Without electricity, the vital water desalination plant in Gaza can no longer operate. The people on the ground, who are already suffering from a shortage of everything, barely have enough water for drinking or washing. Solar panels and fuel for power generators are in short supply in Gaza and cannot compensate for the supplies of Israeli electricity.

The action taken by Israel represents a new low point for humanitarian access to Gaza. Facilitating humanitarian assistance is an obligation under international law – it is not a political bargaining chip or a legitimate means of bringing pressure to bear. The humanitarian improvements achieved for the people in Gaza since the beginning of the ceasefire are currently being undone.

It is important now to reopen all border crossings quickly and fully and to enable humanitarian personnel to do their work. It must be possible for all humanitarian assistance to be distributed independently and in full to the civilian population in need – also the Hamas terrorists must not be allowed to prevent this. Hamas must finally put an end to the suffering and humiliation of the remaining hostages and release them without delay. The international community must continue to keep Gaza in focus and call for all parties to comply with their obligations under international law.

Compliance with the agreement on the ceasefire and the release of the hostages, humanitarian access, the resumption of dialogue and concrete steps towards a two-state solution continue to be essential on the path towards lasting peace, security and dignity for the Israeli and Palestinian people.