Israel’s Renewed Blockade on Gaza Gravely Violates International Law and Humanitarian Obligations
March 11th, 2025
Justice For All Canada calls on the Liberal Party to unequivocally condemn Israel’s renewed blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza. On March 2, following the conclusion of the first phase of a supposed Gaza ceasefire agreement, Israeli authorities announced the reinstatement of a total blockade on the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza. This devastating decision followed Israel’s refusal to proceed with the scheduled second phase of the agreement. Israel’s imposition of this renewed siege directly contravenes international law and fails to comply with the legally binding provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to prevent genocidal acts.
Justice For All Canada joins international bodies and humanitarian organizations in strongly denouncing this obstruction of life-saving aid. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned that cutting off aid to Gaza places civilians at even greater risk, especially after already suffering widespread killings and casualties from months of relentless bombardment. With the overwhelming majority of Gaza’s population entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance, the blockade amounts to a deliberate policy of starvation as a weapon of war. The International Criminal Court (ICC), in issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, has acknowledged that these types of tactics can amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Even amid the ceasefire and a temporary increase in aid deliveries, Gaza’s population continues to endure severe food insecurity. The latest restrictions imposed by Israel threaten to push civilians back toward famine conditions. According to the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, these developments are an “an escalation of Israel’s genocidal campaign against the Palestinians.” Notably: Approximately 97% of households have inadequate food consumption, with 83% in southern Gaza resorting to extreme coping strategies.
Beyond preventing the flow of essential goods, Israel has failed to meet key commitments under the ceasefire agreement. This includes its refusal to withdraw forces from the Philadelphi corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border by the agreed deadline of March 1. Reports also indicate that Israeli forces have obstructed the delivery of critical relief supplies, including mobile shelters, and carried out further attacks resulting in Palestinian casualties. Even as regional actors outline plans for Gaza’s reconstruction, the situation on the ground remains one of ongoing atrocity crimes. At least 48,405 Palestinians have been killed, with 111,835 injured since October 7, 2023. Among the deceased, 13,319 are children, including 786 infants under one year old.
Under international law, Israel, as the occupying power, is obligated to ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, regardless of the ceasefire status. The deliberate obstruction of humanitarian assistance as a means of coercion constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. Justice For All Canada calls on the Canadian Government to advocate Israeli authorities to reverse these senseless policies and immediately restore the flow of humanitarian assistance, including food, water, and fuel.
As a close ally of Israel, Canada is failing to sufficiently demand compliance with international law and hold those responsible for the continued use of starvation and siege tactics accountable.
Justice For All Canada calls on the Liberal Party to unequivocally condemn Israel’s renewed blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza. On March 2, following the conclusion of the first phase of a supposed Gaza ceasefire agreement, Israeli authorities announced the reinstatement of a total blockade on the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza. This devastating decision followed Israel’s refusal to proceed with the scheduled second phase of the agreement. Israel’s imposition of this renewed siege directly contravenes international law and fails to comply with the legally binding provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to prevent genocidal acts.
Justice For All Canada joins international bodies and humanitarian organizations in strongly denouncing this obstruction of life-saving aid. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned that cutting off aid to Gaza places civilians at even greater risk, especially after already suffering widespread killings and casualties from months of relentless bombardment. With the overwhelming majority of Gaza’s population entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance, the blockade amounts to a deliberate policy of starvation as a weapon of war. The International Criminal Court (ICC), in issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, has acknowledged that these types of tactics can amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Even amid the ceasefire and a temporary increase in aid deliveries, Gaza’s population continues to endure severe food insecurity. The latest restrictions imposed by Israel threaten to push civilians back toward famine conditions. According to the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, these developments are an “an escalation of Israel’s genocidal campaign against the Palestinians.” Notably: Approximately 97% of households have inadequate food consumption, with 83% in southern Gaza resorting to extreme coping strategies.
- During the first phase of the ceasefire, Israel permitted an average of 600 aid trucks per day into Gaza. However, the renewed blockade has halted these deliveries, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
- The blockade leading to a 90% reduction in electricity availability, severely impacting hospital operations, sewage treatment, and shutting down desalination plants that provide drinking water.
- 27 out of 35 hospitals in Gaza were non-operational due to fuel shortages and infrastructure damage as of November 23, 2023.
- The unemployment rate in Gaza has soared to over 60%, with the blockade crippling local industries and livelihoods.
Beyond preventing the flow of essential goods, Israel has failed to meet key commitments under the ceasefire agreement. This includes its refusal to withdraw forces from the Philadelphi corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border by the agreed deadline of March 1. Reports also indicate that Israeli forces have obstructed the delivery of critical relief supplies, including mobile shelters, and carried out further attacks resulting in Palestinian casualties. Even as regional actors outline plans for Gaza’s reconstruction, the situation on the ground remains one of ongoing atrocity crimes. At least 48,405 Palestinians have been killed, with 111,835 injured since October 7, 2023. Among the deceased, 13,319 are children, including 786 infants under one year old.
Under international law, Israel, as the occupying power, is obligated to ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, regardless of the ceasefire status. The deliberate obstruction of humanitarian assistance as a means of coercion constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. Justice For All Canada calls on the Canadian Government to advocate Israeli authorities to reverse these senseless policies and immediately restore the flow of humanitarian assistance, including food, water, and fuel.
As a close ally of Israel, Canada is failing to sufficiently demand compliance with international law and hold those responsible for the continued use of starvation and siege tactics accountable.