More than 20,000 documented incidents of "food-related violence" have occurred globally over the past eight years, according to new analysis showing hunger is increasingly being exploited as a weapon of war.

The data reveals systematic targeting of civilian food infrastructure, with 1,261 recorded strikes on markets that families rely on for daily groceries. An additional 863 incidents specifically targeted food distribution systems, resulting in the deaths of aid workers and other personnel involved in food delivery.

The attacks span various forms of food-related infrastructure, including farmland and agricultural facilities that serve as the foundation of local food security. The documented incidents represent a pattern of deliberately disrupting civilian access to essential resources.

The analysis covers the period from 2018 through 2025, tracking attacks across multiple conflict zones where food systems have become military targets. The targeting of civilian food infrastructure constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law in many contexts.

The weaponization of hunger has emerged as a significant concern for humanitarian organizations working to maintain food security in conflict-affected regions. The systematic nature of these attacks suggests coordinated efforts to undermine civilian populations' access to basic nutrition.