Game Theory and the Weaponization of Hunger: Strategic Starvation in Gaza as a Tool of Genocidal Control by By Habib Siddiqui
In the realm of game theory, players act strategically to maximize their outcomes. But when the game is war and the objective is domination, the strategies employed can become not only ruthless but genocidal. Israel’s deliberate starvation of Gaza, now recognized by over 100 humanitarian organizations as a form of mass extermination, fits disturbingly well into a game-theoretic framework—where the logic of coercion, deterrence, and payoff manipulation is used to justify the destruction of an entire population. Starvation as Strategic Coercion Game theory often models conflict as a series of moves where players seek to alter the behavior of opponents by changing their incentives. In Gaza, Israel’s siege has created a scenario where basic survival—access to food, water, and medicine—is no longer guaranteed. This is not collateral damage; it is a deliberate restructuring of the payoff matrix for Palestinians. The choices are grim: surrender, flee, or die. According to Amnesty Intern...
