Doctors of the World denounces the use of hunger as a 'weapon of war' in Gaza

Acute malnutrition in the Gaza Strip is being used as a "weapon of war" through the blockade imposed by Israel on the Palestinian territory, the NGO Medecins du Monde (MDM), also known as Doctors of the World, warned on Tuesday.

After 18 months of war, the Gaza Strip has reached malnutrition levels "comparable to those observed in countries facing protracted humanitarian crises spanning decades" such as Yemen or Nigeria, the organisation said in a report.

Based on data from six health centres it runs in Gaza, MDM points to a link between rising malnutrition rates and declining aid volumes entering the Palestinian territory.

In November, for example, a peak in child malnutrition of 17 percent was observed, a period which coincides with a significant reduction in the inflow of humanitarian aid. Israeli authorities have closed the crossings since 2 March.

"We are not witnessing a humanitarian crisis, but a crisis of humanity and moral bankruptcy with the use of hunger as a weapon of war," says Jean-Francois Corty, president of MDM.

"The inaction of third-party states that have the means to pressure the Israeli authorities to lift this deadly siege is unacceptable and could be considered complicity under international law," he continued.