By Xinhua
Geneva : United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has expressed grave concern over Israel’s punitive measures on the Gaza Strip, urging the country to exercise restraint, her spokesman Jose Diaz said on Friday.
Earlier this week, the Israeli government decided to declare the Gaza Strip as “hostile territory,” announcing military action, additional restrictions on the movement of people and goods to and from the Gaza Strip, and reductions in the supply of fuel and electricity.
Israel’s measures will impose an unbearable burden on the civilian population of Gaza, which has already paid a heavy price from daily violence, isolation and deprivation, Arbour said in a statement issued late on Thursday, Diaz told reporters.
Arbour urged Israel to exercise restraint, recalling that it has the obligation under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect its population without employing disproportionate means.
The high commissioner also recalled that international law prohibits reprisals and collective punishment, Diaz said.