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A human rights group has filed a complain to the Universal Post Union (UPU) overÌý mail restrictions inÌý, which have been slammed asÌýa form of collective punishment.

Ìýlabelled the complaintÌýasÌýbeing forÌýUPU general director Bishar Abdirahman Hussein, according to its press release onÌýthe matter.

In theÌýcomplaint, the group noted that since the deadly Israeli bombing campaign against Gaza last month, the Jewish state's authorities have strengthened their blockade of the Palestinian enclave.

Its note to the UPU said this includes "a blanket ban on mail delivery to and from Gaza" via the Erez crossing.

Euro-Med Monitor chairman Ramy Abdu said: "Israel's arbitrary and punitive suspension of mail delivery to/from Gaza represents an unacceptable and illegal act of collective punishment against a civilian population".

The organisation's complaint explained: "This abrupt suspension of mail delivery has harmed numerous people".

It has caused disruption to people expecting delivery of passports so they can access outsideÌýhealthcare and educational opportunities, or to meet with relatives not residing in Gaza.

The NGO said those "waiting indefinitely" to send or be sent passports by foreign embassies are, therefore, unable to get "security permits" from Israel "even in dire humanitarian circumstances."

This leaves them unable to exit Gaza.

Euro-Med Monitor urged Israel to "lift the restriction on postal delivery given the severe violation of Gaza residents' basic rights and the infringement on their livelihoods and family life."

The complaint added that IsraelÌý"has long maintained unnecessary and punitive restrictions on postal services in Gaza, whereby only paper mail is allowed in/out of the enclave."

Israel has been ³Ò²¹³ú²¹Ìý.

In addition to post, the quantities and types of many other items allowed to enter the enclave are .

Such restrictions have led to serious shortages ofÌýessentials like food, fuel and medicine.