The Israeli authorities have been accused by Human Rights Watch (HRW) of imposing a “deadly starvation” on thousands of children in the Gaza Strip. These children are at risk of an “imminent famine” that could endanger their lives, according to HRW. This action has been condemned as the use of hunger as a “weapon and war crime” against civilians.
Doctors and families in Gaza have identified children and pregnant women as the most vulnerable to starvation. Hospitals in the area are struggling to treat cases of acute malnutrition and dehydration among these groups. HRW has called on governments to impose targeted sanctions and suspend weapons shipments to Israel until it meets its international legal obligations.
The director of HRW for Israel and Palestine, Omar Shakir, has urged Israel to end the use of starvation as a weapon of war and allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need in Gaza. The United Nations has issued warnings about a potential catastrophic famine in northern Gaza, where 70 percent of the population resides, by next May. The Gaza Health Ministry reported deaths due to malnutrition and dehydration, with children being the most affected group.
Israel has agreed to increase aid entering Gaza following pressure from the US government. However, HRW stresses that humanitarian crises cannot be solved with temporary solutions and calls for continued pressure on Israel to end the suffering in Gaza. Countries allied with Israel are also urged to stop the shipment of weapons to the region.
In conclusion, Israeli authorities have been accused by HRW of imposing a deadly starvation on thousands of children in Gaza Strip, which puts them at risk of an imminent famine that poses a threat to their lives. This action has been condemned as the use of hunger as a weapon and war crime against civilians. Doctors and families in Gaza have identified children and pregnant women as the most vulnerable to starvation. Hospitals in the area are struggling to treat cases of acute malnutrition and dehydration among these groups.
HRW has called on governments to impose targeted sanctions and suspend weapons shipments to Israel until it meets its international legal obligations. The director
