Human Rights Watch slams Israeli defense minister's vow to deprive Gaza of food, electricity

By Mohammad Maryam

NEW YORK (AA) - Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday strongly criticized the Israeli defense minister's vow to deprive Gaza of food and electricity amid the ongoing conflict.

In a statement, Omar Shakir, the group’s senior director, described Yoav Gallant's statement as "abhorrent" and "collective punishment, which is a war crime."

"The International Criminal Court (ICC) should take note of this call to commit a war crime," he added.

On Monday, Gallant said his army is applying a complete siege on Gaza.

"I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip – there will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed," he said.

Palestinian group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets and infiltrating Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and growing settler violence against Palestinians.

In retaliation, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 765, including 143 children and 105 women, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said early Tuesday. It said the number of wounded has risen to around 4,000.

At least 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,600 others wounded in the fighting, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar​​​​​​​ in Ankara