The Devastating Reality of Starvation in Gaza
Starvation is a slow and agonizing process that gradually dismantles the human body. When deprived of essential nutrients, the body first uses up its sugar stores in the liver. As these reserves are exhausted, it begins to break down muscle and fat to sustain vital organs like the brain. This desperate process continues until the heart weakens, the immune system collapses, and the mind begins to deteriorate. The skin tightens over the bones, breathing becomes shallow, and organs start failing one by one. Vision fades, and eventually, the body succumbs to this prolonged and painful death.
The world has witnessed harrowing images of Palestinian children suffering from starvation, their bodies frail and their lives hanging in the balance. With Israel intensifying its military campaign in Gaza, thousands of civilians face the grim possibility of dying not just from bombs, but from hunger as well. This crisis is no longer a distant threat—it is an immediate reality.
Ramesh Rajasingham, a senior United Nations humanitarian official, recently stated that what is happening in Gaza is “starvation, pure and simple.” Experts like Alex de Waal have warned that many Gazan children are now too weak to eat, even if food were available. They are at a stage of severe acute malnutrition where their bodies cannot properly digest food, leaving them vulnerable to further harm.
There is growing international recognition that Israel’s actions in Gaza may constitute serious crimes, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare. The United Nations officially declared a famine in Gaza, citing the systematic obstruction of aid by Israel during more than 22 months of conflict. Palestinian and international human rights groups raised alarms about this risk early in the war, and their warnings have been echoed by governments across the globe, as well as by some voices within Israel itself.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has condemned what he calls war crimes in Gaza, while leading Israeli human rights organizations argue that Israel’s actions amount to genocide. These claims underscore the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for accountability.
On October 9, 2023, two days after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, then-Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared a complete siege on Gaza, stating, “There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel.” This marked a clear dehumanization of the civilian population and a violation of international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of non-combatants.
For 70 days, Gaza was cut off from all supplies, with no distinction made between civilians and combatants. Although the siege was slightly eased in early 2024, the situation worsened rapidly. By April 2024, USAID head Samantha Power warned of famine in parts of Gaza, and Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Programme, announced a full-blown famine in northern Gaza.
International law explicitly prohibits the use of starvation as a weapon of war. As the occupying power, Israel is legally obligated to ensure that the civilian population receives adequate food, water, medical supplies, and other essentials. If these resources are not available locally, they must be sourced externally—including from Israel itself.
Over the past 21 months, numerous governments and aid agencies have repeatedly called on Israel to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Facilitating such efforts is not just a moral duty but a legal obligation under international law. Yet, Israel has consistently blocked these efforts, preventing aid organizations from reaching those in need.
In January 2024, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take “immediate and effective measures” to enable the provision of humanitarian aid. Two months later, the court reaffirmed this order, requiring full cooperation with the United Nations. During the ceasefire between January and March 2024, the UN and other humanitarian groups operated up to 400 relief distribution sites. However, when Israel broke the ceasefire, these sites were shut down, and another unlawful siege was imposed.
Israel justified this new blockade by claiming it was targeting Hamas, effectively acknowledging the use of starvation as a weapon. When aid resumed in May, the UN was replaced by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private initiative organized by Israel. Since then, nearly 1,400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while attempting to access food at the foundation’s distribution sites.
The GHF model has also failed to address the crisis. A recent report by the Famine Review Committee found that the food packages distributed by the foundation would lead to mass starvation, even if they functioned without the violence they currently involve.
Under international law, the war crime of starvation occurs when deprivation is used as a tactic. If this policy is carried out with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, it constitutes genocide. Senior Israeli officials have openly expressed such intent, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who suggested it might be “justified and moral” to cause two million civilians to die of hunger, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called for bombing food and aid depots.
Palestinians are being intentionally starved to death. Despite clear warnings from the beginning of the conflict, many governments turned a blind eye, rationalizing aid restrictions by claiming that aid was going to Hamas—despite Israel having no evidence to support this claim. Instead, more weapons were sent to Israel than aid was delivered to Gaza.
History will remember this moment of global shame. The world must act now to prevent further loss of life and uphold the principles of humanity before even more children perish.
