Israel defence minister Yoav Gallant calls Palestinians in Gaza "human animals", orders total siege

Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant labelled Palestinians living in Gaza as "human animals" as part of his announcement of a total siege on the coastal enclave, as the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants enters its fourth day.

Speaking in Hebrew yesterday, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant ordered a complete siege on Gaza, where no food, water, or electricity would enter and everything would be closed. Energy minister Israel Katz followed it up by ordering the immediate cut of the water supply to Gaza.

Human rights advocates have criticized the total siege as a violation of international law and a potential war crime. Gaza Strip, which has a population of 2 million and was already been living under siege conditions for 16 years, receives about 10% of its annual water from Israel. 

Produced by Alexander Durie