Weaponizing Food

On November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were issued citing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, with the court citing both bear responsibility as “co-perpetrators for committing the acts jointly with others: the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.”

The warrant for Deif cited the court’s belief that he is responsible “for crimes against humanity of murder; extermination; torture; and rape and other form of sexual violence; as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture; taking hostages; outrages upon personal dignity; and rape and other form of sexual violence.”

Eight months later, the situation in the Gaza strip has worsened. The death toll escalates daily with reports indicating that over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Hamas attack in October 2024. Daily reports are alarming and distressing. Attempts at cease fire have failed, the actions of the International Criminal Court are ignored, and the world continues to call for an end to the war.

Food which is a universal human right has become a weapon of war. “Food is a weapon of war. Like nuclear weapons, the weaponization of food can bring about mass civilian deaths and unthinkable horrors, provoking rightful moral outrage at the prospect of its use. But unlike nuclear weapons, food weaponization is routinely used in warfare. And in our globalized world, this tool has become more dangerous than ever.” This is the case in Gaza and other parts of the world where lack of access to humanitarian aid is causing malnutrition and starvation, and people are being killed while trying to access limited supplies of food.

In June, the United Nations General Assembly voted to adopt a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. 149 member states voted in favor of the resolution with 12 against and 19 abstentions. The resolution called for ending starvation as a weapon of war and condemned the use of starvation as a weapon of war. Months later, as the war continues, the people are starving. Mass starvation is affecting those in Gaza – children are dying from hunger, with 21 children identified as dying from malnutrition and starvation in the past three days, with new cases of malnutrition and starvation being identified daily.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the UN human rights office said many people were arriving at Gaza’s hospitals “in a state of severe exhaustion caused by a lack of food. Others are collapsing in the streets. Many more may be dying unreported… These deaths and the horrendous physical and psychological suffering caused by hunger are the result of Israel’s interference with and militarization of humanitarian assistance.”

The on-going weaponization of food in Gaza supports the issuing of the warrants in November. The ICC should be supported in its call for the arrest of Netanyahu and Gallant, as well as Deif. War is catastrophic on communities, the weaponization of food and humanitarian aid further perpetuates the suffering of communities.

The ICC investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. The ICC has 124 member states which are parties to the Rome Statute and are members of the ICC. The United States, China, India, Russia, and Israel are among the 70 countries who are not members of the ICC. The lack of support for the ICC from these countries undermines the accountabilities to international law and allows countries and individuals to go unpunished for crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes. The commitment to justice and peace requires a judiciary that can prosecute crimes that cannot be prosecuted in the face of violations of human rights by nation states and governments.

On February 6, 2025, an Executive Order Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court was issued by the president of the United States. According to Amnesty International, “This Executive Order is intended to stop the ICC from undertaking its independent mandate. It also poses a significant threat to the ICC and its staff.  UN experts strongly condemned the move, calling it “an attack on global rule of law” that undermines international justice.”

As people of faith, calling for peace and an end to the war remains urgent. Vocal and consistent support is also needed for the International Criminal Court, the United Nations and other organizations that are attempting to bring an end to the war and hold accountabilities for the crimes committed against people in defiance of international laws and human rights.

The right to food is a part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 25.1 states: “Everyone has the right to a decent standard of living, including food, clothing, housing, medical care and social services.” This is true in times of war or peace. Weaponizing food by starving individuals and killing individuals as they try to get food is a crime and violation of human rights. This, too, demands the attention of the world and communities of faith and the support of the actions of the International Criminal Court as we seek a just world for all.