Crisis in Gaza: The Human Cost of Israel’s Weapon: Starvation as Weapon

Ilias Achkaoukaou

warcrimes - 14 January 2024 - 5 min

In a development that has sent shockwaves through the international community, Yoav Gallant, the Defense Minister of Israel, announced on October 9th a drastic measure that has raised serious human rights concerns. Israel is imposing a total blockade on Gaza, a region with a dense population of about 2.3 million people. This blockade is comprehensive, extending to critical supplies including food, electricity, and fuel, essentially isolating the population of Gaza and severing their access to essential resources.

In a video statement that has since garnered widespread attention, Minister Gallant declared, "We are putting a complete siege on Gaza... No electricity, no food, no gas – it's all closed." This stark proclamation has stirred up a heated debate regarding the rights of Israelis to self-defense and the sovereignty of Gaza, hinting at a complex and long-standing dominion by Israelis over the region. In a tweet and on video, he called the Palestinians "human animals".

This move by Israel has been vehemently condemned by Human Rights Watch, categorizing it as a war crime. Starvation as a method of warfare, especially when directed against civilians, is universally condemned and prohibited by international law. A deeply concerning report from the World Health Organization, dated December 21, 2023, lays bare the grave reality: an overwhelming 93% of Gaza's population is facing severe hunger, with a significant portion of households in extreme distress, forced to take drastic actions like selling personal items for food.

The situation has elicited a strong response from Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfam’s Regional Middle East Director. She expressed her shock at the crisis, stating, "Millions of civilians are being collectively punished in full view of the world." She criticized the use of starvation as a method of warfare and called for urgent action from global leaders.

Omar Shakir, the Israeli and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch, provided a disturbing account on November 4. "For over two months, Israel has been depriving Gaza's population of food and water...reflecting an intent to starve civilians as a method of warfare," he commented. He implored international leaders to speak out against these actions and to take steps to mitigate the dire impact on the people of Gaza.

Infectious Diseases are Thriving.

The crisis in Gaza is further compounded by rampant famine and the outbreak of diseases, jeopardizing the lives of hundreds of thousands, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The actions of Israel, including the systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid and indiscriminate bombardment, have intensified the crisis. Reports indicate that since mid-October, there have been over 100,000 cases of diarrhea, predominantly among children under five, a number that is alarmingly 25 times higher than before the crisis. Additionally, there have been more than 150,000 cases of respiratory infections, along with outbreaks of meningitis, skin rashes, scabies, lice, and chickenpox.

While a healthy individual can typically combat these diseases, those suffering from malnutrition are significantly more vulnerable. Hospitals, already struggling, are being denied essential support. Andrea De Domenico, head of the U.N. agency OCHA, expressed his dismay at the level of inhumanity shown by the Israeli authorities in their handling of aid missions. They have been systematically blocking essential aid into Gaza. Recent efforts have seen a meager success rate, with only 3 of 21 missions being allowed passage, and even then, they face the risk of Israeli attacks.

Aid Convoys Under Attack

Compounding the dire situation, on December 29, a UN convoy delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza was attacked by an Israeli tank. Tom White, the agency’s director, recounted to NPR, "We were moving a convoy out of northern Gaza, and the Israeli army requested that we reroute. During the reroute, our convoy was fired upon by tanks... they directly hit one of our vehicles." He highlighted the extreme risks faced by aid workers and stressed the need for the Israeli army to respect the UN's role in delivering aid.

Rob Schmitz, the interviewer of NPR asked about the 140 colleagues who were killed in Palestine. Tom White answered, "Overwhelmingly, they were in attacks that have come from the Israeli army. You know, a large number of them were killed in these airstrikes, which dropped whole buildings on all of the families that are living in these buildings. One of the other incidents that occurred about a week and a half ago was a young man driving a U.N.-marked tractor to a dump site - he was removing solid waste from one of the communities - fired upon. The round destroyed the engine block of the tractor. It was then followed up by small arms fire. He had extensive damage to his femur.”

Similarly, a convoy of the Red Cross, en route to deliver supplies to Gaza City, including the Palestine Red Crescent, came under fire. The International Committee of the Red Cross reported that one driver was injured, and two trucks were damaged during the attack.

These incidents illustrate a pattern of disdain for international law and human rights by Israeli authorities. The targeting of hospitals, schools, and aid convoys suggests a deliberate strategy aimed at ethnic cleansing. In 2024, the international community faces a pressing moral and ethical dilemma: How can such egregious acts of aggression and clear human rights violations continue without decisive intervention and resolution?