Hunger increasingly used as weapon of war as ‘food-related violence’ surges, analysis shows
Hunger is increasingly being used as a weapon of war, with over 20,000 incidents of food-related violence reported since 2018. This includes attacks on markets, farmland, and food distribution systems in various conflict zones. The analysis highlights the urgent need for the international community to enforce UN resolution 2417, which condemns the starvation of civilians as a tactic of warfare.
- ▪More than 20,000 attacks on food-related systems have been recorded since 2018.
- ▪The occupied Palestinian Territory has the highest number of incidents, with 9,013 attacks.
- ▪Civilians attempting to access food have faced significant risks, with over 10,300 killed or injured between October 2023 and the end of 2025.
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Displaced Palestinians jostle for bags of flour from an aid truck near a food distribution point in the northern Gaza Strip in July 2025. Photograph: Mohammed Saber/EPAView image in fullscreenDisplaced Palestinians jostle for bags of flour from an aid truck near a food distribution point in the northern Gaza Strip in July 2025. Photograph: Mohammed Saber/EPAGlobal developmentHunger increasingly used as weapon of war as ‘food-related violence’ surges, analysis showsMore than 20,000 attacks on markets, farmland and food distribution systems have been recorded since 2018Supported byAbout this contentMark TownsendSun 24 May 2026 02.00 EDTLast modified on Sun 24 May 2026 02.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleHunger is being increasingly exploited as a weapon of war with more than 20,000…
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