"The Israeli and Western economic embargo of Gaza, Israel's almost total closure of Gaza's border crossings, ongoing lawlessness in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and heightened Israeli restrictions on freedom of movement in the West Bank contributed to a serious human rights and humanitarian crisis," said the report cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

It said Israel's decision to halt shipments of food, fuel and medical supplies constituted "collective punishment of Gaza's civilian population in violation of international humanitarian law."

Israel's Supreme Court on Wednesday backed Defense Minister Ehud Barak's decision.

Israel has progressively tightened restrictions on movement in and out of Gaza since June 2006, leaving Rafah border crossing -- Gaza's only one that bypasses Israel -- closed almost continuously.

"The general population has borne the brunt of Israel's measure," said the HRW.

Gaza lockdown has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to storm the closed borders with Egypt to stock up on desperately-needed supplies.

Impunity

The New York-based rights watchdog denounced the impunity enjoyed by Israeli soldiers who killed Palestinians.

"The Israeli army's continued failure to investigate civilian death and injury where there was evidence of a laws of war violation reinforces a culture of impunity in the army and robs victims of an effective remedy," it said.

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