Gaza City, Gaza Strip — The director of Al-Shifa Hospital revealed on Tuesday that 21 children have succumbed to malnutrition and starvation in Gaza over the past three days. Mohammed Abu Salmiya stated that these tragic losses were documented in various medical facilities across the region, including Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital and Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised alarms on Monday about the deteriorating humanitarian situation, emphasizing that “the last lifelines keeping people alive are collapsing” in Gaza. Reports of increasing malnutrition among both children and adults are becoming increasingly common, with Abu Salmiya noting a steady influx of new cases at the few remaining operational hospitals. He expressed concern that the numbers of those at risk could lead to a significant rise in fatalities linked to starvation.
In a harrowing statement, the U.N. human rights office reported that many arriving at hospitals in Gaza are in a severe state of exhaustion due to food deprivation, while others appear to collapse in the streets. The organization asserted that these tragic deaths stem from Israel’s interference and constraints on humanitarian aid reaching the territory, exacerbating the suffering of the population.
Recent images from Gaza have illustrated the dire conditions, showcasing children and infants afflicted by severe malnutrition. Symptoms commonly associated with such conditions include drastic weight loss, extreme fatigue, and inadequate circulation. Khalil al-Deqran, a spokesperson for the Hamas-operated Gaza Ministry of Health, indicated that hospitals are overloaded with casualties from gunfire and lack the necessary resources to address hunger-related ailments. He estimated that approximately 600,000 individuals are suffering from malnutrition, including around 60,000 pregnant women.
Following a breakdown in negotiations aimed at extending a ceasefire, Israel enacted a full blockade of Gaza in early March, halting the flow of humanitarian aid until late May. However, the United Nations and various aid organizations have reported that the volume of supplies permitted into the region remains grossly inadequate. Food reserves that had built up during the ceasefire have been depleted, leaving the population facing unprecedented shortages since the onset of conflict tied to the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
The humanitarian situation has drawn criticism globally. Recently, leaders from 25 countries, including allies of Israel and the United States, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the unconditional release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid. Their statement specifically condemned the Israeli government for perpetuating civilian casualties in Gaza.
The U.N.’s human rights office highlighted a grim statistic: more than 1,000 Palestinians have lost their lives while attempting to secure food aid since the implementation of a controversial humanitarian initiative in late May. This privately-operated program, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, emerged amid a blockade but has been criticized for lacking transparency in its funding and operations.
Despite the despair, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation claims it has provided substantial food assistance to date and asserts that it is adapting its strategies to ensure safety in aid distribution. However, concerns remain about its alignment with Israeli military objectives and compliance with fundamental humanitarian principles.
Amid this crisis, humanitarian groups express profound worry regarding the future. The escalating rates of malnutrition and starvation represent not just a health issue but a broader humanitarian catastrophe, one requiring urgent international attention and response.