Jerusalem: Human Rights Watch (HRW) has declared that the Israeli government is employing starvation as a method of warfare in the Gaza Strip, labeling it a war crime. HRW alleges that Israeli forces are intentionally blocking the delivery of essential supplies such as water, food, and fuel, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
Since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, high-ranking Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Energy Minister Israel Katz, have publicly expressed their intent to deprive Gaza’s civilians of essential resources. The Israeli government is accused of impeding humanitarian assistance, destroying agricultural areas, and deliberately withholding objects vital for civilian survival.
Human Rights Watch interviewed 11 displaced Palestinians between November 24 and December 4, revealing severe hardships in securing basic necessities. Residents reported shortages of food, water, and electricity, describing a dire situation where survival became a constant struggle.
International humanitarian law prohibits the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, categorizing it as a war crime. HRW calls on the Israeli government to cease the use of starvation as a weapon, lift the blockade on Gaza, and restore access to electricity and water. The report also condemns Israel’s blockade of Gaza as collective punishment, amounting to another war crime.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has escalated, with the United Nations warning of an imminent risk of famine and severe hunger. HRW urges the international community to respond urgently to the deepening catastrophe in Gaza and calls for accountability for what it deems to be widespread and serious abuses by Israeli forces against civilians.
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