JERUSALEM, (AP) – The Israeli Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the government’s cutoff of fuel and electricity to the Gaza Strip, a court spokeswoman said.

Israeli human rights groups had challenged the sanctions, which Israel says are aimed at halting ongoing rocket fire by Gaza militants. Palestinian officials say the cutbacks have harmed Gaza’s already impoverished residents by causing power shortages and crippling crucial utilities.

Israel supplies all of Gaza’s fuel and over two-thirds of its electricity, and has reduced but not halted the shipments.