Starvation Warfare: Israel Blocks Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, Violating Ceasefire Agreement

On Sunday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered to halt all humanitarian aid entering Gaza, marking a clear violation of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. The decision comes after the first phase of the ceasefire deal expired, and follows an American attempt to undermine the ongoing ceasefire agreement. 

Netanyahu’s office stated that the decision was made due to Hamas’ refusal to accept a plan presented by US envoy Steve Wittekov. The plan aimed to extend the first phase of the ceasefire without progressing to the second phase, which would require Israel to withdraw from Gaza. Furthermore, Israel made it clear that it would not allow a ceasefire to continue unless Hamas releases all Israeli prisoners at once, which violates the agreement. Netanyahu also warned of further consequences if Hamas persisted in its stance.

This decision is a significant escalation and a direct violation of the terms outlined in the ceasefire agreement, which had been intended to bring relief to Gaza after more than 15 months of US-backed Israeli genocide. 

The ceasefire included three stages, each lasting 42 days, with the involvement of mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. However, Israel’s failure to engage in the second phase of talks, which was supposed to begin on February 3, further exacerbated the situation.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir praised the decision, emphasizing the need to continue starving the people in Gaza until all Israeli prisoners were freed. He further escalated the rhetoric, calling for the resumption of hostilities and the imposition of harsh measures on Gaza, including cutting off electricity and water supplies.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also supported the halt on humanitarian aid, calling it “a step in the right direction.” Smotrich’s inflammatory remarks echoed Ben-Gvir’s sentiment, urging a tough stance on Gaza and an all-out war for what he described as “complete victory.”

Hamas Denounces Decision as War Crime

In response to Israel’s violations, Hamas condemned the decision, stressing that it is an outrageous violation of the ceasefire agreement. The movement stated that Israel’s actions are “cheap extortion” and a war crime and demanded immediate intervention from international mediators to halt Israel’s punitive measures. According to Hamas, Netanyahu’s actions aimed to impose new political realities on the ground after the failure of the Israeli military to achieve its goals over the past 15 months.

Hamas also stressed that Netanyahu attempts to avoid further commitments by using US proposals to extend the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. This move, Hamas stated, was a blatant attempt to circumvent the established terms of the deal.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by Israel’s ongoing violations of the ceasefire protocol. Reports indicate that between January 19 and February 11, Israeli forces killed at least 93 Palestinians and injured over 800. Additionally, Israel has been committing 269 breaches of the ceasefire agreement, including military incursions, airstrikes, and restrictions on humanitarian aid.

International Law and War Crimes

The practice of using starvation as a weapon of war, particularly through blocking humanitarian supplies, is a violation of international law and an act of genocide. The United Nations has explicitly condemned the use of starvation as a tactic in armed conflict, declaring it a war crime under international humanitarian law.

The 2018 United Nations Security Council resolution and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court have both reinforced the position that deliberately depriving civilians of vital resources constitutes a war crime. These actions not only violate the rights of civilians but also contradict the principles of the Geneva Conventions, which protect non-combatants during times of armed conflict.

As the situation continues to escalate, the international community faces increasing pressure to intervene. Humanitarian organizations have raised alarms over the devastating effects of the blockade on Gaza’s already fragile infrastructure. With over two million people living in Gaza, the consequences of denying aid could be catastrophic, further deepening the humanitarian crisis and potentially pushing the resistance to retaliate. 

The decision comes after the first phase of the ceasefire deal expired, and follows an American attempt to undermine the ongoing ceasefire agreement.
Netanyahu’s office stated that the decision was made due to Hamas’ refusal to accept a plan presented by US envoy Steve Wittekov. The plan aimed to extend the first phase of the ceasefire without progressing to the second phase, which would require Israel to withdraw from Gaza. Furthermore, Israel made it clear that it would not allow a ceasefire to continue unless Hamas releases all Israeli prisoners at once, which violates the agreement. Netanyahu also warned of further consequences if Hamas persisted in its stance.
This decision is a significant escalation and a direct violation of the terms outlined in the ceasefire agreement, which had been intended to bring relief to Gaza after more than 15 months of US-backed Israeli genocide.
The ceasefire included three stages, each lasting 42 days, with the involvement of mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. However, Israel’s failure to engage in the second phase of talks, which was supposed to begin on February 3, further exacerbated the situation.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir praised the decision, emphasizing the need to continue starving the people in Gaza until all Israeli prisoners were freed. He further escalated the rhetoric, calling for the resumption of hostilities and the imposition of harsh measures on Gaza, including cutting off electricity and water supplies.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also supported the halt on humanitarian aid, calling it “a step in the right direction.” Smotrich’s inflammatory remarks echoed Ben-Gvir’s sentiment, urging a tough stance on Gaza and an all-out war for what he described as “complete victory.”

Hamas Denounces Decision as War Crime

In response to Israel’s violations, Hamas condemned the decision, stressing that it is an outrageous violation of the ceasefire agreement. The movement stated that Israel’s actions are “cheap extortion” and a war crime and demanded immediate intervention from international mediators to halt Israel’s punitive measures. According to Hamas, Netanyahu’s actions aimed to impose new political realities on the ground after the failure of the Israeli military to achieve its goals over the past 15 months.
Hamas also stressed that Netanyahu attempts to avoid further commitments by using US proposals to extend the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. This move, Hamas stated, was a blatant attempt to circumvent the established terms of the deal.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by Israel’s ongoing violations of the ceasefire protocol. Reports indicate that between January 19 and February 11, Israeli forces killed at least 93 Palestinians and injured over 800. Additionally, Israel has been committing 269 breaches of the ceasefire agreement, including military incursions, airstrikes, and restrictions on humanitarian aid.

International Law and War Crimes

The practice of using starvation as a weapon of war, particularly through blocking humanitarian supplies, is a violation of international law and an act of genocide. The United Nations has explicitly condemned the use of starvation as a tactic in armed conflict, declaring it a war crime under international humanitarian law.
The 2018 United Nations Security Council resolution and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court have both reinforced the position that deliberately depriving civilians of vital resources constitutes a war crime. These actions not only violate the rights of civilians but also contradict the principles of the Geneva Conventions, which protect non-combatants during times of armed conflict.
As the situation continues to escalate, the international community faces increasing pressure to intervene. Humanitarian organizations have raised alarms over the devastating effects of the blockade on Gaza’s already fragile infrastructure. With over two million people living in Gaza, the consequences of denying aid could be catastrophic, further deepening the humanitarian crisis and potentially pushing the resistance to retaliate.