HRW condemns Israeli moves in Gaza

The Zionist regime's blockade of Gaza denies 1.4 million Palestinians the food, fuel and medicine they need to survive, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday, slamming the Israeli move as collective punishment and a violation of international law.

"The Israeli and western economic embargo of Gaza, Israel's almost total closure of Gaza's border crossings, ongoing lawlessness in the occupied Palestinian territories, and heightened Israeli restrictions on freedom of movement in the West Bank contributed to a serious human rights and humanitarian crisis," the report said.

It affirmed that the regime's 'Defence' Minister Ehud Barak's decision to cut fuel and electricity supplies to Gaza constituted collective punishment of Gaza's civilian population in violation of international humanitarian law.

"The Israeli army's continued failure to investigate civilian death and injury where there was evidence of a laws of war violation reinforces a culture of impunity in the army and robs victims of an effective remedy," HRW said.

The Zionist regime also continued to restrict freedom of movement in the West Bank and annexed east Qods and to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank, the report said.

"Settler violence against Palestinians and their property continues with virtual impunity," it said.