 |  | |
Press Releases
Ref: 171/2007
Date: 29 November 2007
Time: 15:30 GMT
IOF Impose additional Collective Punishment Measures and Reduce Gaza’s Fuel Supply
70% of the Strip’s Fuel Stations Shutdown and the Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
PCHR strongly condemns the decision by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on Wednesday (28 November)
for a new reduction in the supply of fuel to the Gaza Strip, which already suffers from serious shortages in fuel.
The Centre calls upon the international community, especially the High Contracting Parties of the Fourth
Geneva Convention, as well as UN organizations and international humanitarian organizations to
intervene immediately to force IOF to stop this decision. This intervention is necessary to avert a humanitarian
crisis threatening all aspects of civilian life including the functioning of healthcare facilities, drinking water wells,
and sewage disposal. The fuel cuts threaten to impact the operation of several sectors including health
services, environmental services, transportation, education, commerce, industrial production, and agriculture.
It is noted that this decision is preempted a pending decision by the Israeli High Court on a petition
submitted by PCHR and several human rights organizations against the IOF decision on 25 October 2007
to reduce the fuel and electricity supplies to the Strip. The Israeli High Court held a session today
to review the petition. However, the decision was delayed.
Sources in the Association of Owners of Petrol and Gas Companies and Fuel Stations” indicated that
the Association rejected receipt of the fuel amounts delivered on Wednesday, 28 November 2007,
due to the new reductions implemented by the Israeli supplier, Dor Alon Co. The Israeli company
informed the Association of reducing the daily fuel supply to Gaza to 90,000 liters of kerosene,
25,000 liters of benzene, and 100 tons of natural gas. The Association’s board held a meeting yesterday,
and replied to the Israeli supplier that it rejects receipt of such amounts, citing that the reduction
will result in a humanitarian crisis on all aspects of civilian life.
As a result, nearly 70% of the Strips fuel stations (approximately 100 out of 145) shutdown on this
afternoon after their stock of fuel ran out. The remaining stations are expected to close tomorrow evening.
Statistics indicate that the Strip’s fuel supply was reduced by more than 50% since the IOF decision
was issued on 25 October 2007. Kerosene supplies dropped from 333,000 liters to 170,000
liters a day (49% decrease); benzene supplies dropped from 76,000 liters to 46,000 liters a day
(40% decrease); whereas natural gas supplies increased by 27% from 228 tons to 290 tons.
It is noted that the daily fuel needs of the Gaza Strip are 350,000 liters of kerosene, 120,000 liters
of benzene, and 350 tons of natural gas.
PCHR is extremely concerned by the deterioration of the economic and social situation resulting from
the complete closure imposed by IOF on the OPT in general and the Gaza Strip in particular.
The Centre is concerned that the food and health conditions of the civilian population will
deteriorate further if the reduction of fuel supplies is enforced.
The Centre reminds the High Contracting Parties of the Fourth Geneva Convention,
including Israeli authorities, of their responsibilities, especially:
- Responsibility under Article 1 to ensure that the Convention is respected under all circumstances;
- Responsibility to ensure that first article of the First Optional Protocol to protect victims
of international armed conflicts;
- Responsibility under Article 54 of the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions (1949) to ensure:
o Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is prohibited.
o It is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove or render useless objects indispensable to the
survival of the civilian population, such as foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production
of foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works,
for the specific purpose of denying them for their sustenance value to the civilian population or
to the adverse Party, whatever the motive, whether in order to starve out civilians, to cause
them to move away, or for any other motive.
- Responsibility under Article 33 stating, “No protected person may be punished for an offence
he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation
or of terrorism are prohibited. Pillage is prohibited. Reprisals against protected persons and their
property are prohibited.”
- Responsibility under Article 55 stating, “To the fullest extent of the means available to it the
Occupying Power has the duty of ensuring the food and medical supplies of the population;
it should, in particular, bring in the necessary foodstuffs, medical stores and other articles if the
resources of the occupied territory are inadequate. The Occupying Power may not requisition
foodstuffs, articles or medical supplies available in the occupied territory, except for use by the
occupation forces and administration personnel, and then only if the requirements of the civilian
population have been taken into account.”
- Reminds the High Contracting Parties of the right of every individual to Everyone has
the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family,
including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right
to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack
of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
0 Have Your Say!:
Post a Comment