HRW: Israel uses starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza

• The Israeli government is using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare in the Gaza Strip, which is a war crime.
• Israeli officials have made public statements expressing their aim to deprive civilians in Gaza of food, water, and fuel – statements reflected in Israeli forces’ military operations.
• The Israeli government should not attack objects necessary for the survival of the civilian population, lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip, and restore electricity and water”.

HRW pointed out that Israel is doing it deliberately, considering many Israeli officials’ declarations, particularly Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Energy Minister Israel Katz, that said clearly they want to “deprive civilians in Gaza of food, water, and fuel”.

In the report, it is also written that this has been going on since the beginning of the war, two months ago and that the international community must speak out against it, affirming that this is a war crime.

December 6, the World Food Program (WFP) reported that 9 out of 10 families in northern Gaza and 2 out of 3 households in southern Gaza had spent at least one full day and night without food.

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The HRW said that “international humanitarian law, or the laws of war, prohibits the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare.”

According to the human rights organization, “Israel’s continuing blockade of Gaza, as well as its more than 16-year closure, amounts to collective punishment of the civilian population, a war crime”.

The HRW called on Israel to immediately stop using starvation of civilians as a war tool.  It also called on the US, UK, Canada, Germany, and other countries to “suspend military assistance and arms sales to Israel as long as its forces continue to commit widespread and serious abuses amounting to war crimes against civilians with impunity.”