Starvation Crisis in Gaza: Children and Mothers at Risk as Aid is Restricted
In the war-torn region of Gaza, a severe starvation crisis is unfolding, putting the lives of children and mothers at risk. As Israel’s restrictions on aid entering the Gaza Strip continue to drain essential supplies, displaced Palestinians are struggling to feed their children. The dire situation has led to starving mothers being unable to produce enough milk to breastfeed their babies, and parents are desperately seeking infant formula at overwhelmed health facilities. The medical system in Gaza has been crushed by Israel’s bombardment and siege, making it difficult for health workers to provide life-saving treatment to malnourished Gazans.
The devastating impact of the war is evident in the heart-wrenching story of Anwar Abdul Nabi, a young mother who recently lost her 3-year-old daughter, Mila, to starvation. Nabi tearfully explained that her daughter’s death was a result of the lack of essential nutrients like calcium, potassium, and iron. Before the war, Mila used to eat eggs every day, but now, with limited access to food, she passed away.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with the Ministry of Health reporting that 364 health workers have been killed, 269 medical staff arrested, and 155 health facilities destroyed since the beginning of the war. The numbers cannot be independently confirmed due to limited international media access to Gaza. Israel launched its military offensive in response to Hamas’ attacks, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and the kidnapping of more than 250 others.
Since the start of the conflict, Israel’s attacks on Gaza have claimed the lives of at least 30,717 Palestinians and injured another 72,156 people. The siege has also led to a drastic reduction in vital supplies, leaving the population of 2.2 million people exposed to acute food insecurity. At least 20 Palestinians have starved to death, and the true number could be even higher due to limited access for aid agencies to assess the situation. UN experts have accused Israel of intentionally starving Palestinians in Gaza, while Israel maintains that there is no limit on the amount of aid that can enter Gaza.
The most vulnerable victims of the crisis are children and mothers. One-year-old Watin in northern Gaza has become weak and dehydrated, surviving on only one to two dates a day instead of proper baby formula. Her father, Ikhlas Shehadeh, struggles to find enough food to feed his baby girl, and they are both suffering from the effects of malnutrition. The UNICEF State of Palestine Humanitarian Situation report warns that thousands of pregnant women in Gaza are at risk of losing their babies due to the lack of access to prenatal and postnatal check-ups caused by bombings and the need to flee for safety. The report also highlights severe food poverty among children aged 6-23 months and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Food shortages are particularly severe in northern Gaza, where Israel concentrated its military offensive. Child malnutrition in the region is three times higher than in southern Gaza, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Health screenings have revealed that at least one in six children under the age of two are acutely malnourished, a figure that is likely even higher now. Pregnant and breastfeeding women also face grave threats to their health due to malnutrition.
Doctors in Gaza are struggling to treat cases of dehydration, gastroenteritis, and hepatitis among women and children. The lack of essential supplies, including oxygen and fuel, has led to deaths in intensive care and neonatal units. The medical workers at Kamal Adwan Hospital express their frustration with the starvation of mothers, as they cannot find an alternative to mother’s milk, leading to the death of many children.
Desperation has driven civilians in Gaza to scramble for aid drops, as seen in footage obtained by CNN. The United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and the US military have sent medical supplies and food via airplanes to the region. However, human rights groups criticize these drops as inefficient and degrading, urging Israeli authorities to lift controls on land crossings into Gaza. The CEO of Medical Aid for Palestinians calls for safe and unfettered access for aid workers, the lifting of the siege, and an immediate ceasefire to end starvation in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with innocent lives hanging in the balance. The international community must come together to provide urgent assistance and put pressure on all parties involved to prioritize the well-being of the people of Gaza. The suffering must end, and the children and mothers of Gaza deserve a chance at a better future.