Gaza City, Gaza Strip — Al-Shifa Hospital’s director announced on Tuesday that 21 children across the Palestinian territory have succumbed to malnutrition and starvation in just three days. Mohammed Abu Salmiya reported these tragic deaths occurred in various medical facilities, including Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital and Nasser Hospital.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has raised concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, stating that essential lifelines for survival are failing. He noted increasing alarm over reports of both children and adults displaying serious malnutrition symptoms. Abu Salmiya emphasized the overwhelming influx of new cases into Gaza’s dwindling operational hospitals, predicting an imminent rise in fatalities linked to starvation.
The U.N. human rights office echoed these fears, indicating that many individuals arriving at hospitals lacked energy due to food scarcity. Some are collapsing in public spaces, with the report suggesting that unreported deaths may be occurring. This severe human suffering is attributed to the ongoing Israeli interference with humanitarian efforts.
Images emerging from Gaza depict the harrowing reality faced by children, with medical staff verifying instances of severe malnutrition. The National Institutes of Health identifies symptoms of acute malnutrition, including extreme weight loss, poor circulation, and profound fatigue.
Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties from conflict-related injuries, struggling to provide adequate care for those suffering hunger-related ailments due to critical shortages of food and medicine. Khalil al-Deqran, a spokesperson for the Gaza Ministry of Health, mentioned that there are approximately 600,000 individuals exhibiting symptoms associated with malnutrition, notably affecting vulnerable populations like pregnant women.
Following a breakdown in discussions to extend a ceasefire in early March, Israel implemented a full blockade on Gaza, restricting aid until late May. Humanitarian organizations have criticized the limited supplies permitted into the region since then, highlighting that food reserves have been depleted, leaving over two million residents facing dire shortages.
During a visit to Gaza, World Food Program director Carl Skau remarked that the situation represents one of the worst crises he has encountered. Reports indicate that at least three infants died due to severe hunger and malnutrition recently, underscoring the urgency of the humanitarian situation.
On Monday, a coalition of governments from 25 countries, alongside allies of Israel and the United States, jointly called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas. In their statement, they condemned the Israeli government’s actions, accusing it of severely restricting aid and contributing to civilian casualties, including those of children.
The U.N. human rights office detailed that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to access food aid since the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began operations in late May. Although this group claims to have distributed more than 1.4 million food boxes, its operations have faced scrutiny amid allegations of politicization aimed at furthering Israeli military objectives.
The foundation, which began functioning following the blockade, has faced significant challenges in managing food distributions. Witnesses have reported chaotic scenes, with Israeli forces allegedly firing on individuals waiting for aid. Meanwhile, major humanitarian organizations have opted not to collaborate with the foundation, citing concerns about its alignment with military goals.
The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate in Gaza, leaving families in desperate need of assistance as they navigate an increasingly life-threatening situation.