Gaza Hospitals Report Mass Starvation Deaths as Aid Fails to Arrive
Infants Among Dozens Succumbing as Food Scarcity Crisis Deepens
A devastating hunger crisis is claiming lives in Gaza, with infants and children forming a tragic proportion of the latest fatalities. Hospitals are reporting an alarming rise in starvation deaths as the enclave faces critical shortages of food and essential supplies.
Infant Dies Amidst Widespread Starvation
The lifeless body of six-week-old Yousef lay on a hospital table in Gaza City, a stark symbol of the growing humanitarian catastrophe. His uncle, Adham al-Safadi, recounted the family’s inability to find baby formula, stating, You can’t get milk anywhere, and if you do find any it’s $100 (€25) for a tub.
Doctors confirmed starvation as the cause of the infant’s death.
Over the past 24 hours, 15 individuals have reportedly starved to death, according to medical professionals. Among them were three children, including 13-year-old Abdulhamid al-Ghalban, who died in Khan Younis. This marks a grim escalation of a hunger wave that has been building for months.
Aid Blockades and Denials Fuel Crisis
Palestinian officials report that dozens are now dying of hunger, a situation exacerbated since Israel restricted supplies to Gaza in March. While a blockade was reportedly lifted in May with new measures to prevent diversion to militant groups, food stocks have dwindled.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation as a horror show
, telling the UN Security Council, We are seeing the last gasp of a humanitarian system built on humanitarian principles. That system is being denied the conditions to function.
The Norwegian Refugee Council indicated that its aid stocks are depleted and its own staff are experiencing hunger. Director Jan Egeland stated, Our last tent, our last food parcel, our last relief items have been distributed. There is nothing left.
He accused Israel of attempting to paralyse our work.
Israel denies responsibility for the shortages, asserting its commitment to facilitating humanitarian aid in coordination with the international community. The Israeli military claims Hamas and other militants steal aid, a charge the fighters deny. Reports suggest over 800 people have been killed in recent weeks attempting to access food, often during incidents involving Israeli soldiers near distribution centers.
Aid Distribution System Deemed Unsafe
The United Nations has criticized a new US-backed aid distribution system, deeming it unsafe and a violation of humanitarian neutrality principles. Images of civilians killed during aid distribution were called unbearable
by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who urged Israel to improve the situation.
On Tuesday, scenes in Gaza City showed men and boys struggling to secure food from aid warehouses amidst rubble. We haven’t eaten for five days,
said Mohammed Jundia.
Israeli military figures indicate an average of 146 aid trucks entered Gaza daily during the war. However, the United States maintains that at least 600 trucks per day are necessary to feed the population. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reports approximately 600,000 people suffering from malnutrition, including 60,000 pregnant women, with symptoms like dehydration and anemia prevalent.
Senior UN Official’s Visa Not Renewed
Adding to the strained relations between Israel and the United Nations, Israel has reportedly refused to renew the visa of a senior UN official overseeing humanitarian affairs in Gaza and the West Bank. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar cited the official, Jonathan Whittall, acting head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, for biased and hostile conduct against Israel.
This decision further complicates the flow of essential aid.
According to the Gaza health ministry, 72 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire and strikes in the past 24 hours, including 16 in Gaza City tents. The Israeli military stated it was unaware of any incident or artillery fire in that specific area at the time.
