Malaysia today condemned Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, describing it as a "collective punishment" that contravened international law and would cause a humanitarian catastrophe.

Malaysia, the chair of the 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference, the world's largest grouping of Muslim nations, called on the international community to force Israel to lift the blockade immediately.

"The collective punishment of the innocent civilian population of Gaza is unacceptable under any circumstances," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in a statement.

"The Palestinians have the right of access to food, fuel and medicine. The inhuman action by the Israelis would make the living conditions of the Palestinian people even more unbearable."

Israel decided yesterday to ease its blockade, allowing in some fuel and medicine, amid mounting international concern and warnings of a humanitarian crisis.

The crossings into Gaza were closed late on Thursday, in what Defence Minister Ehud Barak said was an attempt to pressure militants to stop firing rockets and mortars at Israel.