BRUSSELS (EJP)---External Relations European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner condemned the rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel and urged the Israel to restart fuel supplies in Gaza and open the crossings for the passage of humanitarian and commercial supplies.

In a statement released on Monday, the EU official said: "I condemn the rocket fire into Israel and we fully understand Israel’s need to defend its citizens. I have called for an immediate ceasefire."

She added: "However, the recent decision to close all border crossings into Gaza as well as to stop the provision of fuel will exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and risks escalating an already difficult situation on the ground."

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has decided to reduce the electricity supply to the Gaza Strip from the only power plant because of the Hamas refusal to cease Qassam rocket attacks and other  attacks from the region.

"Following the closure, the only power plant in Gaza has completely shut down. Cutting the supply of fuel jeopardizes the electricity production and the supply of clean water. Over the weekend we have already seen blackouts in parts of Gaza, affecting both homes and hospitals. Closing the crossings will also result in shortages of food, medical and relief items," Ferrero-Waldner said.

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“I am against this collective punishment of the people of Gaza,” she stressed.

“Neither the blockade nor the recent military strikes are able to prevent the rocket attacks. Only a credible political agreement this year, as foreseen at Annapolis, can turn Palestinians away from violence. That is why we must support Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas in their current efforts,” the Commissioner said.

The UN organisation dealing with Palestinian refugees and other human rights organisations condemned Barak’s decision, claiming it “violates humanitarian norms.”

Israeli officials claimed that the authorities in Gaza had engineered the current blackout themselves, since sufficient electricity had been provided to maintain supplies for at least a week following the Defence Ministry’s decision.

An Israeli Foreign Ministry statement said on Sunday that 75% of Gaza’s electricity needs were currently being provided to Gaza.

The ministry noted that Palestinian patients continue to travel to Israel for hospital treatment and accused Hamas of diverting fuel supplies from domestic power generators to other uses.

Israeli Defence Ministry spokesman Shlomo Dror said Israel would "do everything" to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.