Gaza Faces Growing Hunger Crisis as Child Deaths Rise to 67 Amid Israeli Blockade

Gaza Faces Growing Hunger Crisis as Child Deaths Rise to 67 Amid Israeli Blockade
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At least 67 children have reportedly died of hunger in Gaza since October 2023, as Israel’s “total blockade” of the territory entered its 103rd consecutive day, Anadolu Agency reported.

The media office issued a stark warning that the number of child fatalities could escalate dramatically. It stated that over 650,000 children under the age of five are now at risk of severe and life-threatening malnutrition in the coming weeks due to the ongoing denial of food, medicine, and fuel.

“Starvation is now killing what bombs have not,” the office declared, describing the continuing siege as one of the “most extreme forms of collective punishment in modern history.”

Currently, approximately 1.25 million people in Gaza are enduring catastrophic hunger, while 96% of the population, including over 1 million children, are suffering from acute food insecurity, according to the media office. It held Israel “fully responsible for a systematic and organized starvation campaign” and placed legal and moral blame on its international backers for their support or silence.

In a related development, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) issued its own warning on Saturday regarding the dire health consequences in the Gaza Strip stemming from the ongoing Israeli blockade.

“No soap, no clean water. Children in Gaza can’t be bathed properly because of the ongoing siege,” UNRWA said in a statement. The agency added, “This, coupled with overcrowded shelters and summer heat, can lead to dire health consequences,” stressing that “the siege must be lifted. UNRWA must be allowed to resume delivering humanitarian aid, including hygiene items, into Gaza.”

Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has continued its offensive on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, which has reportedly resulted in the deaths of nearly 57,900 Palestinians, predominantly women and children. The relentless bombardment has devastated the enclave, leading to widespread food shortages and the proliferation of diseases.