Dr. Erekat on Gaza: One-off delivery of fuel and medicine means ''putting Palestinians on an I.V. drip’’

Chief Palestinian negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat condemned Israel’s continuous closure and siege of Gaza, describing the Israeli decision to allow for the one-off delivery of fuel and medicine as ''putting Palestinians on an I.V. drip.’’

Dr. Erekat stated that ''the international community must end the recurring Israeli collective punishment of 1.5 million Palestinians living in Gaza’’ stressing the fact that ''since the Sharm El-Sheikh meeting in 2007, and in every bilateral meeting since, Prime Minister Olmert has pledged to President Mahmoud Abbas not to stop any of the vital supplies to the Palestinian population that would cause them more suffering.’’ Despite such pledges, the Israeli government stepped up its aggression and suffocation of the Palestinian people, which may put the whole negotiations process in jeopardy.

''Such deleterious Israeli actions are flagrant breaches of the basic rights of Palestinians under international law. Israel remains the occupying power and thus has a legal obligation to ensure access to essential medical services, food, water and sanitation, for the occupied population.’’

Dr. Erekat also said that it is not enough just to express concern for the situation in Gaza. ''It is time for the international community to compel Israel to stop all forms of aggression against the Palestinian people and to help achieve mutual cessation of hostilities leading to comprehensive calm in both the West Bank and Gaza.’’