In a powerful and urgent statement, the United Nations has issued a warning against the increasing ‘weaponisation of food’ in conflict zones, naming regions like Gaza and Ukraine where access to food is being deliberately obstructed to achieve military and political ends. Unlike nuclear or chemical weapons, which face almost universal prohibition and condemnation, the use of hunger as a tactic of war often escapes intense scrutiny — despite its deadly consequences.

The concept of weaponising food refers to deliberate actions taken to restrict, control, or destroy access to food for civilian populations in order to achieve a strategic or military advantage. While international law forbids such actions, the UN has said that this silent but severe method of warfare is on the rise, and poses an especially dangerous threat in today’s interconnected and interdependent world.

Gaza: A Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The most recent warning came in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than 410 Palestinians have reportedly died since late May while attempting to access food from aid distribution centres. These centres, operated under the Israeli-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, have become high-risk zones where civilians must choose between starvation and violence.

UN spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan made a grave statement, saying:

“Desperate, hungry people in Gaza continue to face the inhumane choice of either starving to death or risk being killed while trying to get food.”

The UN rights office condemned what it described as a 'militarised humanitarian assistance mechanism,' asserting that the intentional restriction of food, water, and medical aid constitutes a violation of the Geneva Conventions and could amount to war crimes under international law.

Despite these serious allegations, Israel has categorically denied the accusations, saying that their military actions are solely directed at Hamas, and not at civilians. A spokesperson reiterated that Hamas continues to endanger Palestinian civilians by embedding fighters within populated areas, a claim the group has denied.

What Does International Law Say?

The weaponisation of food is strictly prohibited under several international agreements and legal frameworks:

• The Geneva Conventions (1977, Protocol I) explicitly ban attacks on civilian infrastructure necessary for survival, such as food supply lines, water systems, and agricultural resources.

• The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998) defines "intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare" as a war crime.

• The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognizes access to food as a fundamental human right.

However, the enforcement of these laws remains weak, and nations accused of violating them often escape accountability. Despite clear legal language, modern conflicts continue to witness the targeting of food supplies, either through direct attacks or indirect blockades.

Ukraine: Another Front in the Food War

The Gaza crisis is not an isolated case. In Ukraine, since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, food has become a weapon in an entirely different but equally deadly way. Russia has repeatedly bombed grain storage facilities, withdrawn from UN-brokered grain export agreements, and blocked Black Sea trade routes, contributing to a sharp rise in global food prices and severe shortages in import-reliant countries across Africa and Asia.

Ukraine, a major exporter of wheat, corn, and sunflower oil, saw its agricultural output severely disrupted, with food exports falling to historic lows. The global impact has been profound: food prices surged, triggering economic stress in vulnerable nations and fuelling political unrest.

These developments have proven that food insecurity is not merely a consequence of war, but also a tactic. Weaponised hunger, the UN says, is no longer an aberration, but an emerging trend in global conflicts.

The Global Impact of Weaponised Hunger

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), over 345 million people across the globe now face acute food insecurity, a figure that has doubled since 2020. Much of this rise is conflict-driven, with wars in regions like the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and parts of Africa devastating food systems, displacing farmers, and blocking trade routes.

The WFP and other humanitarian organizations argue that hunger is no longer just a humanitarian issue — it is increasingly a strategic tool. They call for a stronger international mechanism to investigate, document, and prosecute instances where food is used as a weapon, especially when civilian populations are the primary victims.

David Beasley, the former Executive Director of the WFP, previously warned:

“The deliberate withholding of food from a civilian population is not a tactic. It’s not collateral damage. It’s cruelty.”

A Call to Action

As the United Nations continues to raise alarms about the weaponisation of food, it is calling on the international community to act decisively. This includes:

• Reinforcing the legal frameworks that already exist against the starvation of civilians.

• Strengthening accountability mechanisms, including through the International Criminal Court (ICC).

• Ensuring humanitarian corridors remain open, regardless of military operations.

• Supporting global food systems, especially in conflict-prone regions.

The UN’s warning — citing both Gaza and Ukraine — paints a picture of a world where food is increasingly controlled, denied, or destroyed for political or military gain. Such strategies not only violate human rights and international laws, but also undermine global peace and stability.

India’s Position and Global Responsibility

As a country with strong diplomatic ties across the Middle East and Europe, India’s voice in condemning the weaponisation of food could carry significant weight. With a rich history of advocating food security, India has supported various UN food initiatives, sent humanitarian aid, and pushed for global equity in food distribution.

Moreover, India itself has experienced food crises in its past and has emerged as a leader in food technology, storage, and public distribution systems. Leveraging this experience to address global food insecurity and pushing for legal action against food weaponisation could serve as a major foreign policy goal.

In conclusion, the UN’s alert about the weaponisation of food in modern conflicts underscores a moral and strategic challenge facing the global community. With millions on the brink of starvation, and conflict zones multiplying, food is no longer just a basic human right — it has become a frontline weapon in global warfare. The world must now decide whether it will tolerate this silent, strategic cruelty, or stand united to end hunger as a weapon of war.

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