Under Article 55 and Article 56 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (12 August 1949), what legal obligations does Israel have, as the occupying power in Gaza, to ensure the provision of food and medical supplies to the civilian population?

Question

Under Article 55 and Article 56 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (12 August 1949), what legal obligations does Israel have, as the occupying power in Gaza, to ensure the provision of food and medical supplies to the civilian population?

Accepted Answer

Article 55 of the Fourth Geneva Convention obliges the Occupying Power to “ensure the food and medical supplies of the population” and, where local resources are inadequate, to bring in necessary foodstuffs and medical stores (). Article 56 requires maintaining medical and hospital establishments, public health and hygiene, and allowing medical personnel to carry out their duties (). Article 59 further mandates that “if the whole or part of the population … is inadequately supplied, the Occupying Power shall agree to relief schemes … and shall facilitate them by all the means at its disposal” (). UN Secretary-General António Guterres has underscored these “unequivocal obligations” in multiple statements, noting that Israel must guarantee unimpeded access for humanitarian aid and cannot lawfully block or divert food and medicine ().

Under Article 55 and Article 56 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (12 August 1949), what legal obligations does Israel have, as the occupying power in Gaza, to ensure the provision of food and medical supplies to the civilian population?

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