Gaza famine toll surges as aid flotilla departs Barcelona after delay
Gaza famine toll surges as aid flotilla departs Barcelona after delay
ISTANBUL / MADRID – The Gaza Health Ministry said Tuesday that 185 people, including 12 children, died of starvation in August, the highest monthly toll since Israel’s war on the enclave began nearly two years ago (Anadolu Agency).
Officials warned of catastrophic consequences if food and medical supplies are not delivered immediately, noting that more than 43,000 children under five and 55,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women are malnourished. Anemia now affects 67% of pregnant women, the highest rate in years. The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) formally declared Gaza a famine zone last month.
Israel’s blockade, imposed in March, has cut off essential aid, deepening a crisis that has killed over 63,500 Palestinians since October 2023. Israel faces both an ICC arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
Meanwhile, a flotilla of around 200 activists, politicians and artists from 44 countries departed Barcelona late Monday after a weather delay, aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza (Anadolu Agency). Organizers said more ships from Italy and Tunisia will join, bringing the total to 60 vessels with over 500 participants.
Prominent figures include Greta Thunberg, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, Spanish actor Eduardo Fernandez, and former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau. The Global Sumud Flotilla said the mission carries a simple message: “The world has had enough, and Palestine is not alone.”
The fleet hopes to reach Gaza by mid-September.
