Human rights groups warn of danger of Gaza border crossings closure

 Since Tuesday, Israel has closed its crossings with Gaza – Beit Hanoon and Karem Abu Salem (known to Israelis as Erez and Kerem Shalom, respectively) – blocking travel entirely, even for urgent humanitarian needs, preventing patients from accessing medical treatment not available in the Strip, human rights groups have said.

“292 patients and companions were prevented from accessing medical treatment that is unavailable in Gaza, many of them cancer patients and others in need of life-saving treatment provided by hospitals in the West Bank or Israel.

The closing of Beit Hanoon Crossing puts additional lives at risk by preventing urgent evacuations, which may be needed, of civilians injured during the assault,” said a statement by Israeli rights group Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement.

Human rights organisations Gisha, Adalah, Physicians for Human Rights – Israel, and Al Mezan sent an urgent letter to several Israeli officials demanding that Israel stop all harm to civilians and enable humanitarian access, immediately.

“Security challenges, including risks posed during active hostilities, do not exempt Israel from its humanitarian obligations to residents of Gaza,” the organisations emphasize, concluding that “the violation of these principles raises serious concern of flagrant violations of the rules of war that may amount to war crimes.”