ICSPR: Warning of Worsening Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza Amid Continued Crossing Closures and Resurgence of Aid Seizure Crimes

April 30, 2025

Press Release
ICSPR: Warning of Worsening Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza Amid Continued Crossing Closures and Resurgence of Aid Seizure Crimes

The International Commission to Support Palestinians’ Rights (ICSPR) expresses its deep concern over the continued perpetration of genocide and collective punishment crimes by Israeli occupation forces. These include the ongoing closure of border crossings for the 60th consecutive day, and the prevention of sufficient and regular entry of humanitarian aid, which has pushed the Gaza Strip to the brink of severe famine. This comes amid a near-total collapse of essential service systems and the growing inability of UN agencies to meet even the minimum needs of the population — a blatant violation of the rules of international humanitarian law and human rights principles.

The situation grows even more dire with the resurgence of aid seizure crimes by lawless actors, constituting a grave violation of the dignity of affected individuals and an assault on their legitimate rights to fair and equitable access to life-saving humanitarian assistance.

ICSPR views with deep concern the escalating manifestations of chaos and insecurity in some areas of the Gaza Strip — including the obstruction of aid convoys, looting, and their unfair or selective distribution. ICSPR warns against the drift toward chaos and threats to civil peace, stemming from the spread of vigilante actions, the rise of gang formations, price hikes, monopolies, and thefts. The Commission also condemns internal violations committed against civilians and assaults on the rule of law, and warns of the risks of internal conflict due to the deepening humanitarian crisis, growing chaos, and the spread of a culture of hatred and intolerance. These conditions have disastrous implications that serve the interests of the Israeli occupation and undermine the Palestinian people’s struggle for freedom and dignity.

ICSPR reaffirms that the continuation of this situation threatens a complete collapse of the humanitarian system in the Gaza Strip and necessitates urgent action by all concerned parties. Therefore, it registers and demands the following:

• ICSPR affirms that the crime of seizing humanitarian aid and obstructing its delivery to rightful recipients cannot be justified under any circumstances, and it represents a major factor in deepening the humanitarian crisis and a serious threat to civil peace and societal stability. It must be monitored, prevented, and its perpetrators held accountable.

• ICSPR calls on governmental bodies and law enforcement authorities in the Gaza Strip to combat all forms of chaos, insecurity, theft, vigilantism, and violations of rights, in a manner that upholds the rule of law, protects community and humanitarian security, and enhances cooperation with all national and societal components to safeguard civil peace.

• ICSPR urges the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to exert real and immediate pressure to reopen the crossings and allow the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid, in line with the obligations of international humanitarian law.

• ICSPR calls on the international community and donor states to assume their moral and legal responsibilities by providing effective protection for humanitarian aid, ensuring its safe and equitable access to civilians, and increasing support in proportion to the scale of the catastrophe faced by Gaza’s population.