Amnesty International has leveled serious accusations against Israel, alleging that the country is deliberately using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza, which is part of a broader policy of genocide.
According to Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s chief, “While the eyes of the world were diverted to the recent hostilities between Israel and Iran, Israel’s genocide has continued unabated in Gaza, including through the infliction of conditions of life that have created a deadly mix of hunger and disease pushing the population past breaking point.”
The human rights organization has documented severe malnutrition among children in Gaza, with devastating consequences. Since October 2023, 66 children have died due to malnutrition, and thousands more have been hospitalized. These numbers are a stark reminder of the dire situation on the ground and the urgent need for action.
Amnesty International has also accused Israeli authorities of weaponizing aid by imposing an “unlawful blockade on the entry of aid and commercial supplies” into Gaza. Hundreds of aid trucks remain stuck outside the Palestinian enclave, waiting for an Israeli permit to enter. This blockade has severe implications for the people of Gaza, who are struggling to access basic necessities like food and medicine.
The use of starvation as a weapon of war is a serious violation of international humanitarian law, and Amnesty International’s accusations are a stark reminder of the need for accountability. The organization’s report highlights the urgent need for the international community to take action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to ensure that those responsible for human rights abuses are held accountable.
The situation in Gaza is a dire reminder of the devastating impact of conflict on civilians, particularly children. The international community must take immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis and to ensure that all parties to the conflict respect international humanitarian law. The use of starvation as a weapon of war is a serious violation of human rights, and it is essential that those responsible are held accountable .