To the fullest extent of the means available to it, the Occupying Power has the duty of ensuring the food and medical supplies of the population; it should, in particular, bring in the necessary foodstuffs, medical stores and other articles if the resources of the occupied territory are inadequate.Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (Fourth Geneva Convention). (1949). Article 55. Ratified by Israel.
- It is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove or render useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works, for the specific purpose of denying them for their sustenance value to the civilian population or to the adverse Party, whatever the motive, whether in order to starve out civilians, to cause them to move away, or for any other motive.Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts. (1977). Article 53.
According to the UN, all bakeries in northern Gaza have been forced to close due to shortages of vital supplies. Bread is the most basic food necessary for survival. There are various reports on directly and indirectly targeted bakeries, food markets, and water reserves.
Al Nuseirat bakery in the Nuseirat refugee camp was targeted on the 17th of October.
AlJazeera reports the following instances of bakeries being destroyed:
The Beit Lahiya bakery in the northern Gaza Strip
On Nov. 1, 2023, the Sharq Bakery on Nasr Street was damaged after an Israeli attack on the area left dozens wounded and killed.
The Yazji Bakery had three branches in Gaza City, but all were forced to shut down due to the lack of fuel and for fear of being targeted by Israeli raids.