TEL AVIV, August 29, 2006, (WAFA)- Six human rights organisations submitted an urgent request to the Israeli Supreme Court to order the Minister of Defense to open the crossings into the Gaza Strip for the regular human supplies.

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)- Israel stated Wednesday that the urgent request was submitted after no decision has been issued in a court petition heard in the middle of July, by Justices Aharon Barak, Dorit Beinish and Eliezer Rivlin.

The petition and the request were filed by Adv. Azem Bishara from the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) and Adv. Sari Bashi, Executive Director of Gisha, on behalf of: ACRI, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, HaMoked: Center for the Defense of the Individual, B'tselem, Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI) and Gisha.

PHR- Israel added that the urgent request was filed today in light of severe shortages in Gaza caused by Israel's closure of the crossings into Gaza. Israel maintains complete control over the passage of goods into the Gaza Strip.

Since 15 August 2006, the request notes, Israel has completely prevented the entrance of supplies via Karni (al-Muntar) Crossing, including food, fuel, spare parts, and construction materials.

Prior to August 15, Israel permitted Karni Crossing to open only partially, for imports but not for exports, and for limited periods of time. Additional crossings, including the Nahal Oz Crossing through which fuel is transferred to the Gaza Strip, are opened intermittently and insufficiently.

The closing of Karni, the petitioners note, endangers the ability of UNRWA to supply food to 830,000 needy people in the Gaza Strip. More than 59% of the residents of the Gaza Strip are living under the threat that they will not receive the food assistance on which they depend.

Aid organisations in Gaza continue to note a steady rise in cases of diarrhea, especially amongst children - a disease related to a lack of clean water and adequate food, properly preserved. A steady supply of fuel and replacement parts is needed to refrigerate food, to repair water pipes, and to operate the sewage and water system.

S.A.S. (19:43 P) (16:43 GMT)