The Palestinian
Association for Human Rights (Witness) strongly condemns the disconnection of
the sole power line supplying electricity to the water desalination plant in
southern Gaza, executed this morning, Monday, by order of Israeli Energy
Minister Eli Cohen. This plant constitutes a vital source of drinking water for
hundreds of thousands of residents in the Gaza Strip, which already suffers
from a severe water crisis exacerbated by the ongoing blockade and Israeli
aggression that has devastated the territory’s infrastructure. It was the only
facility still receiving power from Israel, as all other energy sources to Gaza
had been cut off since the beginning of the war.
This measure
comes amidst the continuation of the tight blockade on Gaza, where Israeli
occupation authorities have, for over eight days, prevented the entry of
humanitarian aid and essential supplies, including food and fuel, in
implementation of a decision by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
following the conclusion of the first phase of the prisoner exchange agreement
and the ceasefire.
UNICEF has
emphasized that despite the substantial influx of humanitarian goods into Gaza
during the initial phase of the ceasefire, which began on December 19, such
efforts were insufficient to meet the massive needs created by 15 months of
war. Furthermore, supply convoys have been repeatedly blocked, obstructed, or
canceled by the Israeli military.
This blockade
undermines the efforts of international humanitarian organizations that, during
the ceasefire, sought to enhance the resilience of Palestinians, including
drilling wells and rehabilitating medical facilities.
The United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and other
humanitarian organizations have warned that Gaza’s population is at imminent
risk of starvation and death from exposure due to the lack of food and
life-saving essential services.
The shortage of
potable water has led to a surge in infectious diseases, particularly acute
diarrhea and respiratory infections among children, due to water contamination.
Meanwhile, the denial of fuel entry has forced many hospitals to cease
operations, endangering the lives of thousands of patients and injured
individuals reliant on electricity-powered medical devices.
Considering these Violations, the
Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness) asserts the following:
·Condemnation of the electricity cut-off to the desalination plant as an act of
collective punishment, constituting a grave violation of international
humanitarian law, particularly Article 55 of the Fourth Geneva Convention,
which obligates the occupying power to ensure the provision of food and medical
supplies to the civilian population.
·Holding the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the outbreak of diseases and the
worsening water crisis due to the denial of fuel entry, the shutdown of
desalination plants, and the collapse of sanitation services, all of which
heighten the risk of epidemics.
·Urging the international community and the United Nations to take
immediate action and exert
pressure on Israel to restore electricity and allow the entry of fuel and
humanitarian aid without delay.
·Calling for international legal measures to hold Israel accountable before the
International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court and to
initiate a formal investigation into the crimes of blockade and starvation.
·Appealing to states and humanitarian organizations to take urgent steps to assist Gaza’s
residents by facilitating aid delivery through alternative routes and
supporting efforts to pressure Israeli authorities to open border crossings for
the entry of humanitarian supplies.
·Emphasizing the necessity of implementing resolutions from the Arab
Summit in a practical
and effective manner, ensuring that member states follow through, particularly
in securing the completion of the ceasefire agreement and the delivery of
humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian
Association for Human Rights (Witness) reaffirms that this grave escalation by the Israeli occupation poses a
direct threat to life in Gaza, necessitating urgent international intervention
to prevent famine and an unprecedented health catastrophe and to compel Israel
to end its policy of collective punishment, which stands in flagrant violation
of international laws and treaties.
Palestinian
Association for Human Rights (Witness)
March 10, 2025