At least 19 Palestinians, including a four-year-old girl, have died of starvation in Gaza within the last 24 hours, according to reports from the BBC and CNN citing the spokesperson of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
CNN further reports that at least 76 children have died from malnutrition in the Strip since the conflict began in October 2023.
“Nineteen people, including children, have died of starvation,” hospital spokesperson Dr. Khalil al-Daqran told the BBC. He emphasized the critical situation, stating, “Hospitals can no longer provide food to patients or staff members, many of whom are physically unable to continue working due to extreme hunger.” He added that even basic necessities like infant formula are unavailable: “Hospitals cannot provide a single bottle of milk to starving children because powdered milk for infants is exhausted in the market.”
CNN specifically reported the death of four-year-old Razan Abu Zaher yesterday due to malnutrition at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Dr. al-Daqran commented to the US network, “Gaza is experiencing the worst phase of famine, which has reached catastrophic levels amid unprecedented international silence.” He stated that the children now dying have been robbed of their childhood twice: “once by bombing and killing them, and a second time by depriving them of milk and a piece of bread.”