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"Blocking the entry of all food, water, medicines and cutting off electricity – as appears to be happening in Gaza – will disproportionately affect civilians, foreseeably leading to their starvation.," says Robert Goldman Professor of Law at the American University Washington College of Law.

"No matter how horrific the actions of Hamas, IHL does not permit an aggrieved party to respond in kind," he adds. Violation of the law by one party cannot, in principle, justify or sanction actions by the other that violate established prohibitions in international humanitarian law.