Hunger is increasingly being weaponized in conflicts worldwide, with more than 20,000 documented incidents of "food-related violence" recorded globally in the past eight years, according to new analysis. These attacks have targeted markets, farmland, and food distribution systems, impacting civilian access to sustenance.

The surge in "food-related violence" has occurred since the UN Security Council unanimously passed resolution 2417 in 2018, which condemned the deliberate starvation of civilians and the unlawful denial of humanitarian aid as tactics of warfare. Despite this condemnation, the analysis indicates a disturbing trend of food supplies being routinely targeted in active conflict zones.

Data compiled by Insecurity Insight uncovered 21,403 specific incidents across 15 countries where food supplies were deliberately targeted since 2018. Among these, 1,261 strikes hit markets essential for daily grocery shopping, and 863 incidents involved the targeting of food distribution systems, leading to the deaths of aid workers. Additionally, researchers identified 1,909 military strikes on farmland and 563 attacks on water infrastructure vital for agriculture, collectively affecting food security in over 42 countries and territories.

The implications of this widespread weaponization of food are severe, exacerbating humanitarian crises and pushing already vulnerable populations towards starvation. The targeting of food sources and distribution networks directly undermines relief efforts and prolongs conflict by intensifying civilian suffering.

The occupied Palestinian Territory recorded the highest number of incidents, with 9,013 attacks documented. Yemen followed with 1,863 incidents, and Sudan reported 1,605 strikes where food was targeted. One of the most recent documented attacks occurred in Sudan on Tuesday, when a drone struck a busy market, resulting in 28 fatalities. This incident highlights the ongoing and immediate dangers faced by civilians attempting to access basic necessities.

These figures underscore a critical failure to uphold international humanitarian law, as established by UN resolution 2417. The deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure and resources essential for survival represents a grave violation of the laws of war and contributes to widespread displacement and humanitarian catastrophe.

Experts suggest that the systematic denial of food and the destruction of agricultural resources are deliberate strategies employed to demoralize populations and cripple enemy capabilities. The scale of these attacks indicates a disturbing normalization of such tactics, despite international condemnation.

Further analysis of the data reveals a complex pattern of conflict dynamics where food security is a primary casualty. The continued targeting of markets, farms, and aid routes not only causes immediate suffering but also has long-term consequences for recovery and stability in conflict-affected regions, raising urgent questions about accountability and enforcement of international laws.