Palestinians in Gaza face catastrophic hunger, with malnutrition proving nearly as deadly as Israeli gunfire targeting those desperately seeking food for their families. At least 21 children have died of starvation since Sunday, including a 40-day-old infant, according to three hospitals in the Strip.
The death toll rises hourly from both famine and Israeli military raids. Recent fatalities include 43 people—18 killed in an attack on Gaza City’s al-Shati refugee camp and seven shot while awaiting aid deliveries.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of “an unprecedented horror in recent history” unfolding in Gaza, declaring “malnutrition is rampant and famine stalks every door.” Hamas reports over 59,000 war deaths since October 7, 2023. Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, accused the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—which replaced UN and NGO aid distribution in May—of operating a “sadistic death trap,” alleging at least 1,000 starving people have been killed seeking food. “Snipers fire randomly into crowds as if licensed to kill,” he stated.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called images from Gaza “unbearable,” demanding Israel “establish a safe, rapid humanitarian aid flow.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar that killing food seekers was “indefensible.” Sa’ar countered that Hamas “shoots and tortures civilians attempting to access aid” and “sabotaged ceasefire negotiations” through a “campaign of lies.”
Lazzarini stressed no one is spared: “Doctors, nurses, aid workers, and journalists are starving. Many collapse from hunger and exhaustion on duty.” The AFP editorial committee issued an unprecedented alert for its ten Gaza staffers, noting that since 1944, “none recall a colleague starving to death.” One journalist, Bashar, appealed on Facebook: “My body is emaciated… Help me escape this hell.” France pledged evacuation efforts amid growing international outrage. Following demands from 25 nations, including Italy, for an immediate ceasefire, Britain threatened new sanctions against Israel unless Palestinian “suffering” ends swiftly.
© Copyright ANSA. All rights reserved.