Palestine urges int'l action to end humanitarian crisis in Gaza

RAMALLAH/GAZA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Monday called for immediate international intervention to pressure Israel into ending the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

The ongoing Israeli operation has led to "widespread destruction," which includes "a deliberate and systematic policy of denying civilians' access to food, water, and medicine since March 2, with the complete closure of crossings and the blockade of humanitarian aid," the ministry said.

The ministry condemned Israel's continued disregard for international calls for the immediate entry of humanitarian aid, describing it as a "full-fledged crime that demands urgent international action."

It urged the international community to adopt "practical measures and exert real pressure on Israel to cease using starvation as a weapon against civilians."

The statement came as the International Court of Justice began hearings on accusations issued by the Palestinian Authority and the UN against Israel over its refusal to allow aid into Gaza.

Meanwhile, Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza Civil Defense, said on Monday that the fuel shortage caused by Israel's ongoing blockade has led to the suspension of a majority of Civil Defense vehicles in southern Gaza.

"Due to the depletion of fuel necessary for operating firefighting, rescue, and ambulance vehicles in southern Gaza, eight out of 12 vehicles are no longer operational," the spokesperson said.

He warned that the ability to respond to emergencies is severely limited, urging the UN and other international organizations to take immediate action to pressure Israel into lifting the blockade.

Since March 2, Israel has kept crossings into Gaza closed, saying no aid would be allowed to enter until all hostages held by Hamas are released. On March 18, Israel resumed its military operations in Gaza, which, according to Gaza-based health authorities, have so far killed 2,222 and injured 5,751 others. The health authorities added that the death toll in the enclave since the war began in October 2023 has risen to 52,314, with 117,792 injured. Enditem