Examining the Unique Aspects of Israel's Siege on Gaza

Historically, starvation has been employed as a weapon during conflicts, but Israel's current tactics in Gaza have taken this to new levels.

Following an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 250 hostages, the Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant asserted a comprehensive blockade on Gaza—cutting off electricity, food, water, and fuel—underlining a strategy to confront perceived threats.

Israel's siege didn't abruptly cause a famine in Gaza. Since the beginning of the conflict, Israel has intermittently restricted humanitarian supplies, causing deteriorating health conditions and malnutrition throughout the region.

Rising Global Awareness of the Humanitarian Crisis

The international community's awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has surged due to disturbing images of malnourished children and adults, drawing attention and condemnation worldwide. This vivid portrayal of famine has pushed the situation across a moral line for many observers, including past supporters of Israel.

Starvation as a deliberate strategy cannot be dismissed as collateral damage. To starve a population purposely requires continuous and systematic efforts, asserted famine expert Alex de Waal.

Human rights groups have documented Israel’s methodical starvation tactics since 2023. Both Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have faced charges for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

This systematic deprivation of resources constitutes collective punishment, impacting all Palestinian residents in Gaza, regardless of their engagement in the conflict, which breaches international law.

Contextualizing Israel's Actions Within Historical Precedents

Starvation as a tool of war was legal until recent decades. Historical examples include the siege of Leningrad and blockades by Allied forces in World War II. The destructive Bengal famine, exacerbated by British policies during 1943, provides a colonial example of engineered starvation.

Such events led to the evolution of international law post-World War II. It was only in 1977 that Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions outlawed the starvation of civilians as a tactic of warfare, a principle later reinforced by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in 1998.

The Severity and Uniqueness of Gaza's Starvation

Israel’s blockade has not resulted from natural or economic failures but from deliberate policy decisions. Neve Gordon, a human rights law expert, characterized the situation as entirely human-made, setting it apart from most historical famines.

Traditional humanitarian organizations have faced severe operational limits imposed by Israel, diminishing their capacity to provide aid. Furthermore, Israeli coordination with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has been criticized as ineffectively managing resource distribution.

The blockade compounded by Israeli control over aid routes further isolates Gaza, ensuring Israel's complete authority over the entry of necessities.

Potential Interventions and Implications

Israel retains the ability to alleviate the crisis by permitting aid, as evidenced by international cooperation during a recent polio outbreak. Although achieving substantial relief swiftly could prevent further suffering, much irreversible harm has already been inflicted.

Despite the situation, Israel’s sustained and rigorous blockade defies humanitarian efforts, illustrating the lengths to which food has been weaponized in this conflict.