Palestinian International Organization for Peace and Human Rights

18 April 2025

What happened?

An urgent human rights appeal on 18 April 2025 described worsening shortages of food, medicines, medical supplies and fuel because of restrictions on deliveries into the Gaza Strip.

Impact on civilians

Regular supplies are essential to operating hospitals, water pumps and bakeries; the issue cannot be treated solely as an isolated matter of food relief.

Civilians’ Right to Humanitarian Relief

The rights to food and water are closely linked to the rights to life and health. International humanitarian law prohibits the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and requires respect for the rules governing humanitarian access and protection for aid workers and recipients.

What is needed to protect residents?

These developments require careful monitoring of shortages and constraints on humanitarian access, providing information to affected families and ensuring access to medical care, humanitarian relief or remedies appropriate to the harm suffered. Established facts must be distinguished from legal assessments that require investigation by competent authorities.

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