Reliefweb (Source: Al Mezan Center for Human Rights), April 14, 2008.

[Excerpt:]

"Al Mezan, through continued monitoring and documentation, considers the restriction of fuel threatens the lives of the population and poses a dangerous risk for a worsening humanitarian crisis. It causes a total violation of human rights, including economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights and of International Humanitarian Law (IHL)."

"Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns strongly the IOF's ongoing siege imposed on the Gaza Strip and the further restrictions of supplies, which grossly violates the rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The Center rejects the IOF's justification for stopping fuel supplies into the Strip, which claims to provide enough fuel to meet the 'minimum needs' of the population. This justification contradicts with IHL that affirms the needs of the population must be met. 'Minimum needs' of a population is an unprecedented invention made by Israel. Under International law, Israelis under an obligation to ensure that the needs of the population are met, and civilians under occupation are entitled to have their need met."

See NGO Monitor analysis of these claims