Starvation as a method of warfare: A legal analysis regarding the criminal responsibility of Benjamin Netanyahu for violations of article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Rome Statute
Translated title
Sult som krigføringsmetode: En rettslig analyse vedrørende straffeansvar for Benjamin Netanyahu i henhold til brudd på artikkel 8(2)(b)(xxv) i Roma-vedtektene
Author
Ouakkaha, Fatima Sofie
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-12-02
Abstract
Denne afhandling undersøger, om der foreligger et retligt grundlag for at holde Israels premierminister Benjamin Netanyahu strafferetligt ansvarlig for krigsforbrydelsen sult som krigsmetode efter Romstatuttens artikel 8(2)(b)(xxv) og for eventuelt medgerningsmandsansvar efter artikel 25(3)(a), set i lyset af den væbnede konflikt i Gaza efter angrebene den 7. oktober 2023. Med en retsdogmatisk tilgang baseret på international humanitær ret analyserer afhandlingen Genèvekonventionerne og Romstatutten, Den Internationale Straffedomstols jurisdiktion samt den påståede berøvelse af genstande uundværlige for civilbefolkningens overlevelse og hindring af humanitær bistand. Da retspraksis om sult som selvstændig sigtelse er begrænset, behandles det nyskabende ved ICC’s arrestordrer mod Netanyahu og den tidligere forsvarsminister Yoav Gallant, som henviser til artikel 8(2)(b)(xxv). Afgrænsningen omfatter kun handlinger efter 7. oktober 2023 og omfatter ikke andre påståede forbrydelser eller Hamas-lederes ansvar. På baggrund af det tilgængelige faktum og den retlige ramme konkluderer afhandlingen, at der er rimeligt grundlag for at anse elementerne i krigsforbrydelsen sult som opfyldt, og at Netanyahu kan holdes ansvarlig som medgerningsmand, samtidig med at den fremhæver, at bevis for forsæt er krævende og mest sandsynligt vil kunne godtgøres som dolus directus af anden grad frem for første. Den endelige afgørelse beror på ICC’s vurdering af beviserne.
This thesis examines whether there is a legal basis to hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criminally responsible for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare under article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Rome Statute and, alternatively, for co-perpetrator liability under article 25(3)(a), in the context of the armed conflict in Gaza following the 7 October 2023 attacks. Using a legal-dogmatic approach grounded in international humanitarian law, it analyzes the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute, the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction, and the alleged deprivation of objects indispensable to civilian survival and obstruction of humanitarian aid. Given the scarcity of case law on starvation as a standalone charge, the thesis discusses the novelty of the ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, which cite article 8(2)(b)(xxv). The scope is limited to conduct after 7 October 2023 and does not assess other alleged crimes or the responsibility of Hamas leaders. Based on the available information and the legal framework, the thesis concludes there are reasonable grounds to consider that the elements of the starvation war crime are met and that Netanyahu could be held responsible as a co-perpetrator, while emphasizing that proving intent is challenging and more likely to be established as dolus directus of the second degree than of the first. The ultimate determination rests with the ICC on the evidence presented.
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