Israel Faces Backlash After Halting All Aid Into Gaza As A Method Of Warfare

Human rights groups stress that weaponizing starvation by intentionally depriving civilians of lifesaving aid is a war crime under international humanitarian law.

Israel is facing immense global backlash after blocking all aid from entering Gaza as a method of warfare — a move reminiscent of the military offensive’s earlier stages and one that international humanitarian law unequivocally says is a war crime.

On Sunday, the Israeli government stopped the entry of all food and other humanitarian assistance into the decimated Palestinian territory after the first phase of Israel’s ceasefire agreement with Hamas expired. Israeli officials warned Hamas of “additional consequences” if the militant group didn’t accept a last-minute ceasefire extension that deviates from the previously agreed-upon deal.

Israel’s 16-month military campaign in Gaza has “razed the territory and shredded the social and physical fabric,” Volker Türk, the United Nations’ high commissioner for human rights, said on Monday.

“We must above all make sure the fragile ceasefire in Gaza holds, and becomes the basis for peace. Any solution to the cycles of violence must be rooted in human rights, including the right to self-determination, the rule of law and accountability,” he continued. “All hostages must be freed; all those detained arbitrarily must be released; and humanitarian aid into Gaza must resume immediately.”

The ceasefire’s first phase took place on Jan. 19, allowing humanitarian groups to bring a significantly larger amount of aid into Gaza for Palestinians facing extreme hunger, exposure to the elements, limited health care and unsanitary conditions. Aid workers and Hamas officials claimed that Israel was not allowing the agreed-upon number of trucks in, with aid coalition Oxfam saying the amount was “a drop in the ocean.” Israeli officials have denied the accusation.