Gaza Under Siege: Allegations of War Crimes, Starvation, and Systematic Attacks on Civilians

1. Starvation, Humanitarian Blockades, and Weaponization of Aid

Blockades and aid restrictions: Since March 2025, a total siege imposed by Israel has severely restricted the flow of food, medicine, and fuel into Gaza, heightening fears of famine
Aid delivery delayed or turned back: Aid agencies report bureaucratic hurdles—like minor packaging issues or labeling errors—have caused massive delays and rejections. Even when trucks do arrive, numbers are far below the needed daily quota (only ~1,334 since late July, versus ~600 needed daily) Accusations of weaponizing aid: Over 100 humanitarian organizations—including Oxfam and MSF—claim that new Israeli regulations demanding donor and staff info compromise confidentiality and impede aid operations. MSF reported nearly 1,380 victims arriving from GHF (Gaza Humanitarian Foundation) distribution sites between June and July 2025—28 of them already dead. MSF labeled it “orchestrated killing” El PaísAP NewsDeutsche Welle.

Widescale devastation: Human Rights Watch and others describe repeated airstrikes destroying civilian homes, schools, hospitals, and recovery infrastructure. Occupied hospitals faced occupation by troops who denied patients essential services—electricity, water, medicine—leading to unnecessary suffering and deaths. These have been labeled as war crimes Human Rights Watch+1Global Responsibility to Protect.
Agricultural ruin and long‑term food insecurity: Satellite imagery shows massive destruction of cropland—up to 65% damaged by mid-2024—with significant consequences for future food production Human Rights WatchUN News.
Mass forced displacement: The UN verified that as of late 2024, about 1.9 million people were displaced in Gaza—most ordered to move to uninhabitable areas like al-Mawasi, with little-to-no infrastructure. Many were left without water, sanitation, or shelters; for example, an area had just 121 toilets for over half a million people Human Rights WatchUnited Nations+1.

Targeting educational facilities: Between October 2023 and February 2025, out of 564 schools in Gaza, 403 were destroyed—impacting education for over 435,000 students and affecting more than 16,000 teachers. Many schools served as shelters during attacks Geneva International Centre for Justice.
Healthcare under siege: WHO data: between October 2023 and May 2025, there were 686 attacks on health facilities, killing over 900 Palestinians and destroying generators, ambulances, hospitals, etc. Global Responsibility to ProtectHuman Rights Watch.
Killing of journalists: According to UN sources, at least 214 journalists—including 29 women—have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023. A notable case: on August 10, 2025, Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al‑Sharif and five others were killed in an airstrike on a media tent near Al‑Shifa Hospital. Israel claimed he was a Hamas operative; media organizations denied it United NationsWikipedia.

Systemic torture and ill-treatment: Amnesty International, UN, HRW, B’Tselem, and others report widespread detention abuse—beatings, humiliation, sexual violence, waterboarding, use of dogs, screw-on stress positions, rape, and other inhumane practices. B’Tselem described Israeli prisons as operating like torture camps Wikipedia+1Amnesty InternationalHuman Rights Watch.
Sexual violence as a method of war: A UN Commission of Inquiry report (March 2025) found sexual and gender-based violence—forced stripping, rape threats, harassment—are used under explicit or implicit leadership guidance as standard practice by Israeli forces. One former nurse reported horrific genital beatings leading to bleeding Wikipedia.
Israel’s denial: Israel strongly rejects these allegations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that without investigation and transparency, successive reports will likely name Israel in future analyses of conflict-related sexual violence AP News.

ICC arrest warrants: On 21 November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Charges include crimes against humanity—including starvation as method of warfare—murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts Wikipedia.
UN and ICJ determinations:
- In 2024, ICJ rulings found Israel's occupation unlawful and determined responsibilities for apartheid and other violations. UNGA endorsed these findings and issued a one-year deadline for Israel to withdraw from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Human Rights Watch+1.
- A UN‑appointed Commission of Inquiry (Sept 2024 report) confirmed extensive evidence of war crimes including extermination, starvation, forcible transfer, sexual violence, torture, and crimes against humanity. Over 7,000 pieces of evidence are now with the ICC Wikipedia.

Gaza City occupation plan: In August 2025, Israel's security cabinet approved plans to occupy Gaza City, prompting global condemnation. The UN Secretary-General labeled this a “dangerous escalation” that could displace up to 1 million people. Germany suspended arms exports to Israel; the Council of Europe called for halting weapons deliveries