UNHRC: “Israeli” blockade denies Gazans basic needs

United Nations special rapporteur says "Israel" is blocking the basic necessities from entering the Gaza Strip, adding that the Palestinians are suffering amid Middle East tensions.

Richard Falk, who has been appointed as a special rapporteur by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, told a meeting of the 192 member states on Thursday that "Israeli" officials have also barred him from entering the Palestinian areas.

His report on the Palestinian territories focused on human rights concerns related to issues including the three-week "Israeli" war on the Gaza Strip at the turn of the year, which left over 1,400 people dead.

He also condemned "Israel's" construction of a land barrier and the illegal settlements being built on Palestinian lands after forcibly vacating them.

He said an "Israeli" blockade of the Gaza Strip means "insufficient basic necessities are reaching the population".

Falk also spoke of the "unlawful, non-cooperation" of "Israel", which prevented him from visiting the Palestinian territories.