In one of the gravest forms of collective violations of human rights, the Israeli occupation continues to pursue a systematic policy of starvation against the population of Gaza by depriving them of food, medicine, and essential supplies. This constitutes a flagrant violation of the rules of international humanitarian law, which prohibits the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
The Government Media Office in Gaza stated on Sunday that the Israeli occupation is deliberately starving more than 100,000 children and patients in a concentrated manner, by continuing to block the entry of meat, dairy products, fruit, frozen vegetables, and other basic foodstuffs. This has deepened the already dire humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged Strip, which has now lasted for over 680 days.
The statement explained that the occupation’s policy of “systematic starvation engineering and slow killing” targets more than 2.4 million Palestinians, including 1.2 million children. It noted that children and patients are the most vulnerable groups, with more than 40,000 infants under one year old facing life-threatening malnutrition.
Scenes of daily funerals for children and patients who have died due to hunger and malnutrition have become a shocking reality, broadcast to the world in sound and image, in the absence of any international action to halt these crimes.
The Israeli occupation has repeatedly blocked the entry of baby formula, nutritional supplements, dairy products, fruit, and frozen vegetables. Even the limited quantities allowed in are left exposed to looting or targeting, preventing them from reaching those in desperate need, amid direct threats to anyone attempting to secure them.
The use of siege and starvation in armed conflict constitutes a war crime under international treaties, and represents one of the most egregious forms of genocide when carried out systematically to destroy a population in whole or in part.
The targeting of children and patients highlights the specific nature of this crime, striking at the most vulnerable and denying them the basic elements of life. This is a direct violation of the right to life, food, and health—fundamental rights enshrined in international conventions.
According to the latest statistics, since 7 October 2023, Israeli occupation crimes have killed 61,897 people and injured 155,660 others, the majority women and children. In addition, more than 9,000 remain missing, while tens of thousands of displaced persons endure catastrophic conditions. Starvation alone has so far claimed the lives of 251 people, including 108 children.
