What's happened
As Israel's blockade continues, Gaza faces a dire food crisis, with hospitals unable to provide adequate nutrition for patients. Families struggle to feed their loved ones, leading to rising malnutrition rates among children and pregnant women. Aid groups warn of famine-like conditions as supplies dwindle.
What's behind the headline?
Current Situation
- The blockade has led to severe shortages of food and medical supplies, with hospitals unable to provide adequate nutrition.
- Families are forced to bring food from home, often resorting to canned goods and rice, which are insufficient for proper nutrition.
Impact on Health
- Reports indicate that malnutrition is rising sharply, particularly among children and pregnant women. The UN estimates that 16,000 pregnant women and new mothers are facing acute malnutrition.
- Medical professionals report that many children are suffering from severe health issues, including stunted growth and loss of vision due to malnutrition.
Humanitarian Response
- Aid organizations have halted food distribution due to the blockade, and local production has plummeted due to damaged farmland.
- The international community is urged to take immediate action to alleviate the crisis, as the situation continues to deteriorate.
What the papers say
The Independent highlights the plight of families in Gaza, noting that hospitals are unable to provide food, forcing relatives to bring meals from home. Dr. Khaled Alserr from Nasser Hospital states, "Our hands are tied when it comes to making the best choice for patients. Choices are limited."
The Guardian reports on the case of Siwar Ashour, a six-month-old girl suffering from malnutrition due to a lack of specialized formula, which is in critically short supply. Her mother, Najwa Aram, describes the dire living conditions, stating, "There was no food or proper nutrition, and when I gave birth to her, she was not like other babies."
The Independent also emphasizes the alarming rise in malnutrition rates, with doctors treating children who are losing their sight due to severe undernourishment. Dr. Raed Al-Baba notes, "Many children are stunted, suffering from severe diarrhoea and anaemia… It’s leading to rickets, bowed knees, and even the inability to move."
These accounts illustrate the urgent need for humanitarian aid and the devastating impact of the ongoing blockade on the population of Gaza.
How we got here
The crisis in Gaza escalated following the outbreak of conflict in October 2023, leading to a total blockade by Israel on food and medical supplies. This blockade has persisted for over two months, exacerbating the humanitarian situation and causing widespread malnutrition.
Go deeper
- What are the main causes of the food crisis in Gaza?
- How are families coping with the blockade?
- What actions are being taken by the international community?
More on these topics
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Gaza may refer to:
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.