The number of deaths from malnutrition caused by Israel’s starvation policy in Gaza has risen to 453 people since October 2023, the enclave’s Ministry of Health announced.
In the Ministry’s statement, it is said that among the Palestinians who died from malnutrition and hunger in that territory are 150 children, while food and other basic supplies are blocked by the long-standing Israeli blockade.
According to the Ministry, 175 people, including 35 children, have died from hunger since the United Nations (UN) Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared famine in Gaza this August.
On August 22nd, the IPC declared famine in Gaza City and warned that it would spread to central and southern Gaza by the end of September.
Since March 2nd, Israel has kept all border crossings with Gaza closed, blocking humanitarian aid and pushing the enclave into famine despite aid trucks piling up at its borders.
Israel occasionally allows the entry of very limited amounts of aid, but these shipments do not meet basic needs and have not ended the famine. Most of the trucks were looted by gangs while Gaza’s administration accuses Israel of protecting them.
Israel’s aid program has also been accused of deliberately placing civilian aid-seekers in the line of fire of Israeli forces.
Since October 2023, the Israeli army has killed more than 66.000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children. The relentless bombardment has made the enclave almost uninhabitable and has led to famine and the spread of disease.
