The International Committee of the Red Cross decried Israel’s clampdown on the Palestinian Authority.
The Geneva-based humanitarian agency issued a statement Thursday condemning Israeli restrictions on traffic in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
“The measures imposed by Israel come at an enormous humanitarian cost, leaving the people living under occupation with just enough to survive, but not enough to live a normal and dignified life,” said Beatrice Megevand Roggo, the Red Cross’ head of operations for the Middle East and North Africa.
In Gaza especially, an Israeli blockade tightened since Hamas’ June takeover has meant many Palestinian farmers cannot access their fields and critically sick patients cannot leave for treatment, the Red Cross said.
Though the statement urged Palestinian terrorists to stop their attacks, it treated Israel’s response as disproportionate.
“So far, the balance between the legitimate Israeli security concerns and the right of the Palestinian people to live a normal life has not been struck,” the statement said.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
