Gaza's Children Are Dying of Starvation, Officials Warn

The situation in Gaza is dire, with officials warning that children are dying of starvation. The blockade and offensive carried out by Israel are pushing the Palestinian territory to the brink of famine. The hunger crisis is most critical in the northern Gaza region, which has been cut off from essential food supplies by the Israeli authorities. At least 20 people, primarily children and a 72-year-old man, have died from malnutrition and dehydration at two hospitals in the region.

In the south of Gaza, where aid access is more consistent, vulnerable children have also started to suffer from malnutrition, and the Emirati Hospital in Rafah reported that 16 premature babies died of malnutrition-related causes over the past five weeks. Officials warn that child deaths are likely to continue increasing sharply, as malnutrition is generally slow to bring death, affecting children and the elderly first.

Israel has acknowledged the crisis, announcing that it will open crossings for aid directly into northern Gaza and will allow sea shipments. However, some experts believe that it is too little, too late, as the Israeli authorities have not allowed UNRWA to deliver supplies to the north since January 23, and the World Food Organization was forced to turn back a convoy Tuesday. This comes after Israeli authorities organized a food delivery to Gaza City last week, with troops opening fire as thousands of hungry Palestinians mobbed the trucks, resulting in the deaths of 120 people.

The crisis in Gaza is a result of a variety of factors, including the Israeli blockade, the ongoing military operation, and the lack of access to clean water and sanitation. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that many people in Gaza are unable to afford food, due to the Israeli shekels currency being virtually unusable outside of Israel and Palestinian banks having collapsed. As a result, starvation has become a significant threat to the people of Gaza, particularly children.