The United Nations criticizes Israel’s decision to stop all deliveries of food, water, electricity or gasoline to the Gaza Strip. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, makes it clear in Geneva that it is forbidden under international humanitarian law to deprive people of what they need to survive. “Sieges that endanger the lives of civilians by depriving them of essential goods are prohibited under international humanitarian law. Restricting the freedom of movement of people and goods during a siege can only be justified by military necessity, otherwise this amounts to collective punishment. “
Live blog: UN criticizes the closure of the Gaza Strip as violating international law
