Israel's actions in Gaza indicate that "hunger" is being wielded as a weapon of war against the people of Gaza, Russian diplomat of the Mission to the UN George Barsukov said during the US organized Arria on Hamas-held hostages following October 7.
"...supplies of essential goods (including fuel, water and food) to the densely populated area have been hindered (sporadic admissions of 20 truckloads do not count as compared to 200 per day that used to pass before)," Barsukov said on Thursday. "Everything that is happening points to the use of hunger as a weapon of war."
The Israeli military has in this conflict not only engaged in indiscriminate shelling but also in the deliberate destruction of internationally protected sites, he added.
On May 6, the Israel Defense Forces launched a limited military operation in Rafah and took control of the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing. On Friday, Israeli media reported that Israel's military cabinet had approved expanding the ground operation. Israeli authorities say the operation is aimed at eliminating the remaining battalions of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted during the attack. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. At least 35,272 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.