57 Deaths from Malnutrition in Gaza Amid Crippling Israeli Blockade
Gaza (Quds News Network)- At least 57 people, the majority of whom were children, sick, and elder people, have died from malnutrition in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Israeli genocide in October 2023, as Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian enclave enters its third month.
Since March 2, Israel has closed Gaza’s main crossings, halting the flow of food, medical aid, and other humanitarian supplies. This blockade has caused a severe and unprecedented decline in living conditions, with human rights organizations accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinians.
A statement by the Gaza Government Media Office on Saturday confirmed that the number of deaths from malnutrition is expected to increase as the crossings into Gaza remain closed and the entry of aid, baby formula and nutritional supplements have been prevented by Israel.
It added that the vast majority of victims were children as well as sick and elderly people.
It said: “We condemn in the strongest terms the continued use of food by the Israeli occupation as a weapon of war and its imposition of a stifling blockade against more than 2.4 million people in the Gaza Strip by completely closing the crossings for the 63rd consecutive day.”
The Office called on “the international community, humanitarian organisations and human rights organisations to take immediate and effective action and exert pressure by all means to open the Rafah border crossing and all other crossings.”
On Saturday, a baby girl, identified as Janan Saleh al-Sakafi, died of malnutrition and dehydration in the Rantisi Hospital, west of Gaza City.
Israel also resumed its genocide in Gaza on March 18 after violating the ceasefire agreement signed in January, killing over 2,200 Palestinians and wounding more than 5,700—mostly children and women, according the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The United Nations has repeatedly warned of humanitarian catastrophe, with the enclave on the brink of “full-scale famine conditions.”
On Friday, Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for the Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), said the Israeli siege is collectively punishing children, women, older people and men in Gaza.
The UN’s World Food Programme said last week that its food supplies had been “depleted” amid the siege, warning that community kitchens upon which thousands of Palestinians rely would be forced to close.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians of all ages are experiencing high levels of food insecurity in Gaza, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system, a global hunger watchdog.
Children in the enclave have not only faced relentless bombardment, but are also being deprived of essential goods, services and lifesaving care, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement on Friday.
“With each passing day of the aid blockade, they face the growing risk of starvation, illness and death – nothing can justify this,” Russell said. “The sea they used for fishing has been restricted. Bakeries are closing, water production is declining, and market shelves are almost bare.”
In the past month, she said, families have been forced to choose between showering, cleaning, and cooking as access to water is quickly deteriorating.
Vaccines are also running out, Russell warned, and diseases are spreading rapidly.
“Malnutrition is also on the rise,” she said, adding that more than 9,000 children have been admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition since the beginning of the year.
On Saturday, Dr. Munir al-Bursh, the General Director of the Ministry of Health, announced that Gaza has entered the fifth phase of famine. This phase poses the greatest danger to the lives of residents and means witnessing cases of mass deaths.
“We have seen a doubling in child mortality under the age of five, rising from 13 deaths per 1,000 children to 32 per 1,00”, al-Bursh said. “We call on the UN Security Council to declare a state of famine in Gaza and to open humanitarian corridors to deliver food and medicine.”
Gaza Enters Fifth Phase of Famine as Israel Continues to Block Aid for Third Month
Gaza has entered the fifth phase of famine, according to Moneer Al-Boursh, the General Director of the Ministry of Health. This phase poses the greatest danger to the lives of residents and means witnessing cases of mass deaths. The Israeli blockade continues to prevent essential supplies of food, medicine, and water from entering the strip.
“We have seen a doubling in child mortality under the age of five, rising from 13 deaths per 1,000 children to 32 per 1,00”, Al-Boursh said. “We call on the UN Security Council to declare a state of famine in Gaza and to open humanitarian corridors to deliver food and medicine.”
Earlier this morning, baby girl named Janan Saleh al-Sakafi had died of malnutrition and dehydration at Rantisi Hospital, west of Gaza City. Since the onset of the ongoing Israeli genocide in October 2023, 57 people have died from malnutrition, as reported by Gaza’s Government Media Office.
The medical community in Gaza warns that the situation is critical. Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis stated that children are experiencing severe malnutrition, making medical follow-up difficult due to a lack of treatment supplies. The ongoing blockade indicates a catastrophic future for the children of Gaza.
Since March 2, Israel has closed Gaza’s main crossings, halting the flow of food, medical aid, and all humanitarian supplies. This blockade has led to a severe decline in living conditions. Human rights organizations stress that Israel uses starvation as a weapon of war against the Palestinian people.
The situation escalated further when Israel resumed its attacks on Gaza on March 18, violating a ceasefire agreement. Over 2,200 Palestinians have died, and more than 5,700 have been injured, with children and women bearing the brunt of the Israeli attacks.
The United Nations has repeatedly warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe, stating that Gaza is on the brink of “full-scale famine conditions.” Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), highlighted that the Israeli siege collectively punishes children, women, and the elderly.
The UN’s World Food Programme reported last week that its food supplies have been “depleted” amid the siege. Community kitchens, vital for thousands of Palestinians, face closure. Hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza are experiencing high levels of food insecurity, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).
Two Months of “Inhumane Siege Are Further Evidence of Israel’s Genocidal Intent in Gaza,” Says Amnesty International
London (Quds News Network)- Amnesty International has doubled down on its findings that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, stating that “two months of cruel and inhumane siege are further…
Flotilla Coalition Ship to Gaza Attacked in International Waters
In the early hours of May 2, the quiet of night was shattered aboard the Conscience, a civilian vessel anchored in international waters, 17 kilometers off the coast of Malta. Aboard…
