Medieval punishment to Gaza

Israel is using starvation of the Palestinian civilian population as a weapon of war against Hamas in Gaza.

This brutal and unacceptable practice began just hours after the savage attack perpetrated by the terrorist organization on October 7 against Israeli territory that cost the lives of 1,200 people, injured hundreds and kidnapped around 400, many of whom remain in the hands of the Islamist militia.

The Government of Benjamin Netanyahu then ordered not only the suspension of the entry of food into the Strip, but also the cutting off of the water supply.

On the way to the six months of devastating military offensive that has already cost more than 30,000 Palestinian deaths, the vast majority of them innocent civilians, the specter of famine has already been present in Gaza, generating inconceivable scenes of child malnutrition and a catastrophic situation, according to international organizations warn.

Health sources in the Strip, controlled by Hamas, assure that there are already at least 27 minors who have died due to hunger.

The United Nations, through affiliated organizations such as Unicef ​​or the World Food Program, warns that more than 1.1 million Gazans – out of a population of approximately 2.3 million – suffer from “catastrophic food insecurity” and that the number It could reach 92% of the population if the current situation continues until July.

Hunger has joined the physical insecurity of the Palestinians due to bombings, ground raids by the Israeli Army and miserable material living conditions due to lack of infrastructure and medicine.

According to the United Nations, absolutely all households in Gaza have reduced their food intake so that children can eat.

A report from the World Food Program also reveals that in the northern half of the Strip, the hardest hit, survivors spend entire days and nights without eating food, eating only 10 meals in 30 days.

Gaza depended almost entirely on food aid that entered through the crossings controlled by Israel due to the blockade of the Strip since the withdrawal of Israeli colonies ordered by Ariel Sharon in 2005. It also had livestock and poultry that very partially covered its needs, a very rudimentary fishing sector and minimal agriculture.

The UN emphasizes that 70% of animals have died, fishing is non-existent and crops have collapsed.

This is an unjustifiable collective punishment applying a medieval methodology for which Netanyahu is directly responsible.

An immediate ceasefire is urgently needed to allow the massive entry of food to stop the famine.

And it is no less urgent to activate the necessary legal mechanisms so that the Israeli authorities responsible for this situation are held accountable for their decisions.