Sweden's Foreign Minister Values Gaza's Civil Population Starvation Is A War Crime

Gazan children queue for food. (Source: WAFA)

JAKARTA - Starvation of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip as a method of war is a war crime, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said Thursday.

"Using civilian hunger as a method of war is a war crime. Humanitarian aid that saves lives will never be politicized or militarized," Foreign Minister Stenergard told WAFA of the June 13 Sweden Herald.

He stressed the urgent need for "foods, water and medicines to quickly reach the heavily affected civilians, many of whom are women and children, who currently live in completely inhumane conditions."

Responding to a question about whether Israel is guilty of war crimes by using hunger in its genocide aggression in Gaza, Foreign Minister Stenergard replied: "Currently, there are many things that suggest that Israel is not fulfilling its commitments under international humanitarian law."

"In the end, it is the court that must decide this," he added.

He emphasized that the Swedish Government has increased support for aid organizations, such as the United Nations food program, UNICEF and the International Red Cross Committee.