PNC slams occupation regime for ‘war crime’ during Ramadan

The Palestinian National Council has described the occupation regime’s decision to block humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip as “a war crime and a crime against humanity aimed at deepening human suffering,” especially with the commencement of the fasting month of Ramadan.

“This siege,” said the PNC, “is part of the forced displacement plan implemented by the occupation authorities with the support of the US administration… an extension of the genocidal war and ethnic cleansing that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinians, in flagrant violation of international law.”

The council held unnamed international parties “directly responsible” for this situation. “It is collective punishment policy in clear violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis that the UN has classified as a ‘humanitarian catastrophe’,” it pointed out.

As such, the PNC called on the international community to take urgent action to lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, and to ensure the protection of the Palestinian people from such crimes, in accordance with international conventions and relevant UN resolutions.

Israeli regime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the stopping of all humanitarian aid going into Gaza at the weekend, accusing Hamas of rejecting a framework for the continuation of talks proposed by US special envoy Steve Witkoff. The Islamic Resistance Movement said that Israel is “evading its obligations” under the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

READ: Israel’s Smotrich calls for ‘opening gates of hell’ on Gaza after halt of humanitarian aid