Doha: The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemned the Israeli occupation authorities' decision to close the Gaza Strip crossings, including Karem Abu Salem and Rafah, amid the ongoing military escalation in the region.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Center issued a statement on Monday, stating that the decision constitutes an exploitation of regional developments to impose further collective punishment on the residents of the Gaza Strip. The statement noted that this policy is part of a recurring approach based on punishing Palestinian civilians and linking their humanitarian conditions to political and security developments with which they have no connection.

The Center emphasized that closing the crossings and depriving the population of basic necessities is contrary to the provisions of international humanitarian law, emphasizing that civilians should not bear the consequences of regional conflicts or be used as a tool of political pressure.

The decision, the Center pointed out, comes amid already deteriorating humanitarian conditions and at a time when humanitarian aid continues to enter the Gaza Strip at levels below those stipulated in the ceasefire agreement concluded last October. The Center warned that any additional closure of the crossings, even if temporary, would have serious repercussions on the humanitarian situation, particularly in light of the severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, and the ongoing pressure on the health sector.

The statement also highlighted that thousands of patients and wounded individuals rely on the crossings to access treatment and medical care, stressing that disrupting travel and the entry of essential supplies further exacerbates the suffering of the population and threatens the lives of the most vulnerable groups.

The PCHR called on the international community to take urgent action to ensure that regional developments are not used as a pretext for tightening restrictions on the Gaza Strip, and to work toward protecting civilians and holding those responsible for grave violations of international law accountable.