Earlier today Amnesty International's delegation refused to sign the waiver and was thus barred from entering the territory.

Amnesty International said:

'The organisation is categorically opposed to any attempt to get people to sign away their rights.

'The signing of 'waivers' does not absolve the Israeli army of its responsibility in any way, nor the Israeli authorities of their duties to ensure that armed forces respect human rights in all circumstances.'

The organisation is concerned that one aim of these new and drastic restrictions is to prevent outside monitoring and scrutiny of the conduct of the Israeli army. It is also concerned that these restrictions will lead to more killings in Gaza and calls on the army to immediately end the use of excessive and unlawful force.

The organisation has repeatedly demanded that international human rights monitors be deployed in Israel and the Occupied Territories to ensure that international standards are abided by.

Amnesty International said:

'We condemn all unlawful killings of civilians, including Children's rights, in Israel and the Occupied Territories, whether committed by members of the Israeli army or members of armed Palestinian groups,'

The waiver declaration states, among other things, that the individual 'accept(s) that the government of the state of Israel and its organs cannot be held responsible for death, injury and/or damage/loss of property which may be incurred as a result of military activity.'