UNRWA released a report on Sunday on the human rights situation in Palestine from February 26 to March 4, in which the agency demanded that Israel lift its Gaza blockade to allow essential humanitarian access in compliance with its international humanitarian law (IHL) obligations and highlighted that the ongoing Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operation in the West Bank has caused the largest mass displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank since Israel occupied the territory in 1967.
Under customary IHL, states have an obligation to provide impartial access to civilians in need. Israel imposed a total blockade of goods and supplies to Gaza on March 2nd. UNRWA highlighted the risk that Israel’s blockade of humanitarian access poses to the civilian population, given that “the vast majority of people in Gaza rely on aid for their sheer survival”.
Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed that the blockade is justified by Hamas’ refusal to accept the ceasefire framework proposed by US Presidential envoy Steve Witkoff. Withholding essential supplies is a violation of several principles of IHL, including the freedom of movement of humanitarian relief personnel, prohibitions on the use of deliberate starvation as a method of warfare, and protections ensuring civilian access to essential medical services and supplies. The breach of these IHL rules could be considered war crimes, since the blockade could endanger protected persons or objects, such as humanitarian workers and medical providers.
Hamas criticized the decision, stating that “the international community must apply pressure on the Israeli government to stop starving our people” according to a quote sourced by the BBC.
The Witkoff framework specified that half of the hostages would be exchanged on the first day of the framework, with the other half being released upon the conclusion of a permanent ceasefire agreement. The first stage of the agreement was concluded through a hostage exchange at the end of February.
A temporary ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was agreed in January, although there have been sporadic outbreaks of fighting since then. There are concerns that the blockade could threaten the ceasefire and result in the resumption of the war.