The international community must insist on a complete lift of Israel’s illegal siege of the Gaza Strip rather than easing the restrictions as the current negotiations seem to be deciding.
The dire situation in the Gaza Strip cannot be reduced to a merely ‘humanitarian crisis’, as it is basically a human rights crisis borne out of the occupation and continuing closure of the Gaza Strip.
The humanitarian aspects of the siege are only symptoms.
Dealing with them alone cannot provide an answer to the root causes of the current crisis now or in the future.
Furthermore, the proposals also risk exacerbating the separation and isolation of the Gaza Strip from the West Bank.
  Israeli media reported that Israel is to “ease Gaza land blockade” following international pressure.
An Israeli official said '[I]t was agreed to liberalize the system by which civilian goods enter Gaza and to expand the inflow of materials for civilian projects that are under international supervision,' (Haaretz 17 June 2010).
Proposals to the same effect have been made by Tony Blair, the Quartet Representative in the Middle East.
The notion of ‘easing of the siege’ will not address the grievances of the situation in Gaza, which are the result of decades of occupation and closure policy.
“The measures announced by Israel will not even come close to addressing the process of de-development that is crippling the Gazan economy and society”, said Issam Younis, director of Al Mezan.
  Following the international condemnation of the Israeli attack on the flotilla fleet carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, which resulted in the deaths of 9 solidarity activists, criticism of Israel’s actions has veered towards easing the siege instead of ending it.
Once again, voices from international community stressed the illegal nature of the siege, which represents a measure of collective punishment of the entire population of Gaza.
This measure has been tolerated for too long.
  The proposals to ease the siege should not be accepted as sufficient by the international community.
They focus on the entry of more goods into Gaza while ignoring the movement of Palestinians within their own territory; that is between Gaza and the West Bank (including Jerusalem).
They focus on imports and completely ignore exports.
The freedom of movement for the people of Gaza will remain tightly controlled as it is currently with only certain people such as some of the patients and students potentially being able to leave.
Gaza students are expected to continue to be prohibited from studying in the West Bank universities.
  The planned easing of the restrictions is full of political conditionality that will eventually keep the new measures devoid of any significance.
For example, the insistence on that the crossing points are expected to be open for imports under international and Palestinian Authority is likely to result in the closure of the border as happened in 2007 Al Mezan Centre is dismayed at the failure of the international community to take concrete action to lift the Israeli-imposed siege in its entirety as the first step towards ending the occupation of the Palestinian territories.
Many governments have recognized that the siege is unsustainable.
The ICRC has declared it a violation of international humanitarian law which constitutes collective punishment.
  “It is intolerable that discussions among the major players have focused on a step-by-step approach to addressing the siege,” Issam, Younis added.
“Governments in the international community are continuing to give priority to Israel’s self-defence while the population of Gaza is being collectively punished and the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination ignored.
”   Governments should recognize that the siege is a violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law, and constitutes collective punishment.
Al Mezan calls on the international community to end the siege on the Gaza Strip.
All restrictions on the Gaza Strip including the movement of people should be lifted unconditionally and immediately.
The international community should work towards ending the occupation and enabling the Palestinian people to enjoy their rights; including to self-determination.
  For information or interviews: Contact Mahmoud Abu Rahma at Mahmoud@mezan.
org and + 972 (0) 599609310.