Gaza Declared 'Famine Zone' as 57 Children Die and 66,000 Suffer Severe Malnutrition Amid Israeli Blockade

The Gaza Strip is facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to an ongoing Israeli blockade that has lasted over two months, leading to widespread malnutrition among children. The blockade has severely restricted the entry of food, medicine, and fuel, exacerbating the situation. UNRWA has warned that 66,000 children in Gaza are suffering from severe malnutrition due to the blockade. Reports indicate that since the blockade began in March, at least 57 Palestinians, mostly children, have died from malnutrition. Hospitals in Gaza are seeing a surge in cases of famine-level malnutrition, with children like five-month-old Suwar Ashour and four-month-old Jenan Alskafi among the victims. Over 16,000 children have been killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict, at a rate of one child every 40 minutes. Four-month-old Yousef Al-Najjar's weight has dropped to 1.5kg, and another child, whose weight was 35 kilos, has become severely malnourished. The Palestinian Prime Minister has declared Gaza a 'famine zone' and called on the international community to urgently intervene and recognize the crisis. The blockade has also led to the closure of community kitchens and bakeries, further straining food supplies. Over 70,000 children in Gaza require treatment for malnutrition, with at least 3,500 children under five facing death from starvation. The World Health Organization has reported 10,000 cases of malnutrition among children since the beginning of the year, with 1,400 suffering from acute malnutrition requiring immediate medical intervention. Food prices have surged by up to 1400%.