UN: Israel Can Use Starvation As A Method Of War In Gaza

DOC UNRWA

JAKARTA - Israel could use hunger as a "war method" in the Gaza Strip by hindering the entry of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave, UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Turk said.

The hunger disaster could occur in northern Gaza in mid-March to May due to the ongoing conflict and limited humanitarian aid, according to a UN report in the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC) published on Monday, March 18.

"The annexation of Gaza by Israel over the past 16 years has had an impact on the human rights of civilians, devastated the local economy, and created a dependence on aid," Turk said in a statement quoted by ANTARA from Sputnik, Tuesday, March 19.

"The impact of Israel's restrictions on aid entering Gaza, plus the attacks they continue to carry out, may be like using hunger as a method of war, which is a war crime," he said.

Turk called for the drought in the region to be prevented.

Starvation is the impact of Israeli restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid and commercial goods, the movement of the majority of the population, and the destruction of critical civilian infrastructure, the statement reads.

In October 2023, Palestinian resistance group Hamas launched a massive rocket attack on Israel from Gaza and broke through the border. The attack killed 1,200 people and Hamas took 240 others hostage.

Israel then retaliated with an all-out attack, blockaded fully Gaza, launching ground attacks within the Palestinian enclave to "instigate Hamas fighters and free hostages".

It is recorded that 31,800 people have died in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities.

On November 24, Qatar mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas for prisoner swaps with hostages and a ceasefire, allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. The ceasefire was extended several times and ended on December 1.

More than 100 people are believed to be still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.