GENEVA, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations' top human rights official called on Tuesday for an immediate end to the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.

    "By function of this blockade, 1.5 million Palestinian men, women and children have been forcibly deprived of their most basic human rights for months," said Navi Pillay, the UN high commissioner for human rights.

    "This is in direct contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law. It must end now," she said in a statement.

    Pillay further called for Israel to facilitate the urgent passage of essential humanitarian goods, to immediately allow the restoration of electricity, water and other essential services, and to lift movement restrictions preventing the passage of civilians.

    "Decisive steps must be taken to preserve the dignity and basic welfare of the civilian population, more than half of which are children," she added.

    Israel has resealed border crossings with the Gaza Strip citing ongoing rocket fire at its towns, after briefly opening them on Monday for humanitarian goods.