The Occupation Government and Starving Gaza

The statement by the Israeli Finance Minister about not allowing "a grain of wheat" to enter the Gaza Strip is a serious statement on several levels:

1. The Humanitarian Aspect

• Wheat is a basic food material, and depriving civilians of it constitutes collective punishment, which violates international humanitarian law, especially the Geneva Conventions that require protection of civilians in conflict areas
• Such statements threaten food security and increase the suffering of the population in Gaza, who already suffer from a long siege and difficult living conditions

2. The International Legal Aspect

• This statement can be considered a quasi-confession of a starvation policy, which constitutes a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Article (8)
• Using food as a weapon in armed conflicts is internationally prohibited

3. The Political Dimension

• This statement reflects a hardline approach by the Israeli government, especially the extreme right wings
• This should lead to increased international pressure on Israel, and strengthen legal and diplomatic moves against it in international forums

International Criminal Responsibility

In the context of international criminal responsibility, the Israeli Finance Minister's statement pledging not to allow "a grain of wheat" to enter the Strip comes as a serious indication of adopting a systematic starvation policy against the civilian population.

This statement, which was circulated by the media, cannot be considered merely a political position, but enters the scope of practices that may amount to a war crime under international law.

According to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, "starving civilians as a method of warfare" is considered a war crime when committed with the intent to deprive them of materials essential for their survival, including "impeding relief supplies" (Rome Statute, 1998, Art. 8(2)(b)(xxv)).

The Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 also affirms in Article (55) the obligation of the occupying state to ensure the provision of food supplies to the civilian population in occupied territories.

Therefore, this statement represents a dangerous indicator of a gross violation of international obligations, and establishes grounds for potential criminal accountability before the competent international judicial bodies, especially given the availability of the element of publicity and intent to harm civilians.

Conclusion

Palestinian, Arab, Islamic and international diplomacy must intensify legal work against the Israeli criminal and American partner and create mechanisms to stop the genocide being waged against the defenseless Palestinian people.

References:

International Criminal Court. (1998). Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

International Committee of the Red Cross. (1949). Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (Fourth Geneva Convention).