Starvation as a Weapon of War in Gaza

Report by Human Rights Watch | 2023

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza, labeling this tactic a war crime under international law. Since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023, Israeli forces have deliberately blocked the entry of essential supplies like food, water, and fuel into Gaza, while also attacking key civilian infrastructure, including agricultural areas. These actions have left Gaza's population, already vulnerable from years of blockade, in dire conditions.

Israeli officials have publicly stated that these measures are intended to pressure Hamas, yet international law clearly prohibits the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, regardless of the context. According to HRW, the deliberate deprivation of resources essential for survival, such as food and water, constitutes both a war crime and collective punishment. The UN and humanitarian organizations have reported severe levels of hunger and malnutrition, especially among children, with many families struggling to survive under these extreme conditions.

I have to walk three kilometers to get one gallon of water.

Full report can be read here.