Arab Nations Condemn Israel’s Use of Starvation as a Weapon of War Against Gaza

Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Arab countries, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have strongly condemned Israel’s decision to block all humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip, rejecting Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on Sunday morning confirming that Israel had blocked the entry of all goods into Gaza following the end of the first phase of the ceasefire deal.

The move, which coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, came after Hamas refused to accept the extension of the first phase of the ceasefire deal, noting it would only accept moving to the second stage, which was supposed to guarantee the definitive end of the assault, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of remaining captives.

Palestinians in Gaza have already experienced months of starvation during and after Israel’s 15-month assault, worrying about where they were going to get their next meal amid Israel’s restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid.

Qatar

In a statement, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry called the move a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, international humanitarian law, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and all religious laws.

It also expressed its unequivocal rejection of using food as a weapon of war and starving civilians.

The ministry called on the international community to compel Israel to ensure the safe, sustainable, and unobstructed entry of humanitarian aid to all areas of Gaza.

Jordan

The country’s Foreign Ministry has “condemned in the strongest terms” the move as “a flagrant violation” of international law, international humanitarian law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 regarding the protection of civilians in times of war.

Sufyan al-Qudah, the ministry’s spokesperson, affirmed that the Israeli government’s decision constitutes “a blatant breach of the ceasefire agreement”, threatening to reignite the situation in Gaza.

Al-Qudah stressed the necessity for Israel to cease using starvation as a weapon against Palestinians, particularly during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

He called on the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities, and oblige Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned and denounced the Israeli decision to block all aid from entering Gaza and “to use it as a tool for blackmail and collective punishment”.

The kingdom called the move “a blatant violation of international law and a direct violation of the rules of international humanitarian law” in light of the catastrophe that Palestinians in the enclave have been exposed to as a result of Israeli attacks.

The ministry said Riyadh renews its call on the international community to stop the Israeli violations, activate international accountability mechanisms, and ensure sustainable access to aid.

Egypt

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry called the Israeli block a “flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement and international humanitarian law”.

It said there is “no justification, circumstance, or logic that allows the use of starvation of innocent civilians and imposing a siege on them”.