Israel-Gaza War: Starvation Used As Weapon Of War

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that Israel used starvation as a weapon of war. Evidence showed that civilians were deliberately denied access to food and water. 

The allegations by HRW were based on claims by witnesses. Does it amount to war crime? What’s the reality? What happened to Israelis and Palestinians?

Human Rights Watch has said in a report that Israeli forces are deliberately blocking the delivery of water, food, and fuel to The Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas fighters. 

Since the Israel-Hamas conflict, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Energy Minister Israel Katz have expressed their aim to deprive civilians in Gaza of food, water and fuel. 

Does it amount to war crime?

HRW said that deliberately blocking the delivery of water, food, and fuel to Gaza amounted to war crime. This is “war crime” and “crime against humanity.” Omar Shakir, who serves as the Israel and Palestine Director at Human Rights Watch, said, “Israel has been depriving Gaza’s population of food and water. World leaders should be speaking out against this abhorrent war crime, which has devastating effects on Gaza’s population.”

Human Rights Watch interviewed 11 displaced Palestinians in Gaza to understand their situation. One man told HRW, “We had no food, no electricity, no internet, nothing at all.” A father of two said, “You are on a constant search for things needed to survive.”

Earlier this month, the World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian organization, reported a “high risk of famine” in Gaza Strip. The WFP of the United Nations highlighted that Gaza’s food system was on the brink of collapse.

Crime against humanity

The ongoing conflict between Israelis and Hamas militants has increased violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, the bishop of Rome and sovereign of the Vatican City State, said that Israel was using “terrorism” tactics in Gaza. He said that Israel killed two Christian women who had taken refuge in a church complex. He reportedly said, “Some would say ‘It is war. It is terrorism.’ Yes, it is war. It is terrorism.”

Previosuly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hamas raped various women and killed numerous small babies during October 7 attack. The United States President Joe Biden said that Hamas beheaded 40 babies. Many Israelis had also been taken hostage by the Hamas militants.