DaysofPal- A new statement by Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said that Israel continues to use starvation as a weapon against civilians in the Gaza Strip, warning that current policies are deepening the humanitarian crisis and increasing the risk of renewed widespread famine.
The organization states Israel maintains strict control over the quantity and type of food and goods allowed into Gaza, limiting both humanitarian and commercial supplies. This approach, it noted, is contributing to the depletion of essential means of survival and is driving forced displacement among the population.
According to Euro-Med Monitor, Israel has intensified these measures while international attention is focused on the ongoing conflict involving Israel and the United States and its war with Iran. During the early days of that conflict, all crossings into Gaza were fully closed. Only one crossing was later reopened, with a reduced number of aid trucks permitted to enter.
On 28 February, Israeli authorities again shut all crossings, suspending the entry of aid, fuel, and goods. Coordination of humanitarian missions in areas near Israeli military deployments was halted, along with medical evacuations, the return of residents from abroad, and the movement of humanitarian personnel.
Partial access resumed on 3 March through the Kerem Shalom Crossing, allowing limited fuel and aid shipments arriving via Egypt and Israel. Transfers from the West Bank and Jordan remained suspended until 5 March. Some commercial imports were permitted to resume, though at levels below those recorded prior to the escalation, which had already stood at only about 40 percent of the volumes agreed under the ceasefire arrangement.
Since the reopening of Kerem Shalom, only a few dozen trucks have been allowed into Gaza by the end of last week, falling short of previous daily averages by roughly 30 trucks. Euro-Med Monitor stated that Israel continues to violate its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, which stipulates the entry of around 600 trucks per day, including 50 fuel trucks. Verified figures show that actual entries do not exceed 41 percent of that total.
Fuel shortages have been particularly severe. The organization reported that only 14.8 percent of the agreed fuel quantities have been allowed in, leading to major disruptions across critical sectors, including hospitals, water and sanitation systems, relief operations, and transportation.
Data collected by the group indicates that 37,369 trucks have entered Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on 11 October 2025. Of these, 56 percent carried humanitarian aid, 41 percent were commercial shipments, and just 3 percent were fuel trucks, figures that Euro-Med Monitor says reflect a significant shortfall in meeting agreed commitments.
The organization also accused Israeli authorities of presenting misleading data regarding aid flows and refusing independent international monitoring of entry procedures, a situation it says undermines accountability and maintains tight control over supplies entering the enclave.
Restrictions extend beyond goods to the movement of people. The continued closure of the Rafah Crossing for travel has sharply limited movement. Only 1,934 travelers were able to cross during its previous opening period, out of an expected 6,600, reflecting a compliance rate of just 29.3 percent.
Euro-Med Monitor warned that these measures may constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law, including the use of starvation against civilians. It argued that, taken together, such policies could amount to acts of genocide, citing the deliberate imposition of living conditions that threaten the physical survival of the population and cause severe physical and psychological harm.
The impact is compounded by the widespread destruction of Gaza’s local food production and supply systems, leaving residents almost entirely dependent on external aid. Restrictions on that aid, the group said, expose civilians to severe shortages of food, medicine, and other basic necessities.
Euro-Med Monitor concluded by calling on the international community to take urgent action. It urged the imposition of sanctions, the lifting of the blockade, and the immediate, unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid, fuel, and commercial goods. The organization also called for independent monitoring of aid distribution, the reopening of all crossings for people and goods, support for humanitarian operations, and increased pressure to ensure compliance with international law and accountability mechanisms.
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