The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency head, Philippe Lazzarini, has accused Israel of using food as a weapon of war in Gaza. Lazzarini stated that Israel’s blockade on Gaza, which has been in place for over two months, has led to widespread starvation and desperation among the Palestinian population.
“We can expect that in the coming weeks, if no aid is coming in, people will not die because of the bombardment, but they will die because of the lack of food,” Lazzarini warned. “This is the weaponisation of humanitarian aid.”
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The situation in Gaza is dire, with the entire population of over 2 million people experiencing acute food insecurity. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), 470,000 Gazans, or 22% of the population, are in a state of “catastrophe,” with extreme lack of food and starvation resulting in destitution, malnutrition, and death.
The IPC estimates that 71,000 children and over 17,000 mothers will need urgent treatment for acute malnutrition. Thousands of tons of food, medical aid, and humanitarian supplies are stuck on the other side of the border in Egypt, unable to reach those in need.
Israel’s Response
Israel has rejected claims that it is using food as a weapon of war, instead accusing Hamas of stealing and controlling food aid. However, Lazzarini and other aid groups have refused to cooperate with Israel’s proposed plan to distribute aid using private security firms protected by Israeli troops.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has stated that the blockade is a “main pressure lever” to secure victory over Hamas and secure the release of hostages. Critics argue that this approach is a form of collective punishment, which is prohibited under international law.
International Reaction
The international community has expressed growing concern over the situation in Gaza, with some states accusing Israel of genocide. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister on war crimes charges.
Lazzarini condemned the international community’s response, saying, “We have under our watch let a massive atrocity unfold… I think there is a collective responsibility from the international community, the level, the passivity, the indifference being shown until now, the lack of political, diplomatic, economic action.”
Conclusion
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with widespread hunger, malnutrition, and death. The use of food as a weapon of war is a serious concern, and the international community must take action to address the crisis. As Lazzarini stated, “In the coming years, we will realise how wrong we have been… on the wrong side of history.”