Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said: "Israel has the right and obligation to protect its citizens, but as the occupying power in Gaza it also has a legal duty to ensure that Gazans have access to food, clean water, electricity and medical care.
"Punishing the entire Gazan population by denying them these basic human rights is utterly indefensible. The current situation is man-made and must be reversed."
The coalition's 16 page report, "The Gaza Strip: A humanitarian implosion", urges the UK Government and EU to press for a new strategy for Gaza. In particular, the report calls on the UK Government to exert greater pressure on the Israeli Government to open the crossings into Gaza and stop fuel and electricity cuts in order to stem the worsening humanitarian crisis.
It also urges the Israeli Government to help facilitate a process of Palestinian reconciliation that can lead to a "credible and effective" peace process with Israel, and abandon the "failed" policy of non-engagement and begin negotiations with all Palestinian parties, including Hamas.
The report calls on the Israeli Government and Palestinian armed groups to immediately cease all attacks against civilians, saying that the Government of Israel should put an immediate end to disproportionate attacks in Gaza and Palestinian armed groups should immediately stop indiscriminate rocket attacks into southern Israel.
Christian Aid's Director, Daleep Mukarji, said: "The UK Government should acknowledge that a new strategy is needed for Gaza. The current policy does not secure vital security for Israeli citizens, and even if it did the blockade policy would still be unacceptable and illegal.
"Humanitarian aid can help stave off total collapse but it will not provide a long-term solution. Gaza cannot become a partner for peace unless Israel, Fatah and the Quartet engage with Hamas and give the people of Gaza a future."
