Swedish FM calls Israeli starvation tactics in Gaza 'war crime'
2 Min Read
Sweden's foreign minister accuses "Israel" of war crimes for starving Gaza's civilians and blocking aid, urging immediate humanitarian access to the Strip.
-
Palestinians line up for food during the ongoing Israeli genocidal war and systematic famine policy on the Gaza Strip in Rafah, occupied Palestine, Tuesday, January 9, 2024. (AP)
Sweden has sharply condemned the Israeli occupation for preventing humanitarian aid from reaching the Gaza Strip, warning that the deliberate starvation of civilians constitutes a war crime.
The statement came from Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard during a press conference on Thursday, where she emphasized the urgency of ending the humanitarian blockade.
“To use starvation of civilians as a method of war is a war crime. Life-saving humanitarian help must never be politicized or militarized,” Stenergard said. She added that there are “strong indications” the Israeli occupation is not fulfilling its obligations under international humanitarian law.
The Swedish statement aligns with warnings issued earlier this month by UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk, who described attacks on civilians near aid distribution sites in Gaza as “a war crime.”
Several international organizations, including Amnesty International, have also accused "Israel" of committing acts of genocide against Palestinians in the besieged enclave.
Stenergard stressed that “it is crucial that food, water and medicine swiftly reach the civilian population, many of whom are women and children living under wholly inhumane conditions.”
Sweden redirects Gaza aid after UNRWA funding halt
In December 2024, Sweden suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) after the Israeli occupation banned the organization, accusing it of supporting Hamas. Since then, Stockholm has redirected its humanitarian support through other UN bodies.
Swedish International Development Minister Benjamin Dousa, who joined Stenergard at the press conference, noted that Sweden remains one of the most significant donors to Gaza despite the shift in aid channels.
Gaza aid funding exceeds $100 million from Sweden
According to Dousa, Sweden is now the fifth-largest donor globally and the second-largest within the European Union in terms of aid for Gaza. “Sweden’s humanitarian aid to Gaza since the war began in October 2023 has exceeded 1 billion kronor ($105 million),” he said. An additional 800 million kronor has already been allocated for 2025.
Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs @MariaStenergard on the situation in Gaza
— Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (@SweMFA) May 20, 2025
Read more⬇️https://t.co/1KeP4bAYpw
Dousa reiterated Stockholm’s commitment to supporting Palestinian civilians, despite political and logistical hurdles.
“We are doing everything in our power to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it most,” he added.
