Gaza on Brink of Famine as Israeli Blockade Pushes Palestinians to Starvation

Strategic Insights -

Heavy Israeli airstrikes and an ongoing blockade have brought Gaza to the brink of famine, with nearly 29 children and elderly people dying from starvation in the last two days, according to Palestinian Authority health minister, Majed Abu Ramadan. Aid delivery is severely hindered by Israeli restrictions and the risk of looting, with some 90 trucks carrying essential supplies, including medicine and nutrition supplies, waiting to be inspected at the border. Malnutrition is spreading rapidly among children and pregnant women, with aid workers warning that the territory could plunge into famine if the blockade is not fully lifted.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least 29 children and elderly people have died from starvation in Gaza in the last two days, said Palestinian Authority health minister, Majed Abu Ramadan.
  • Aid delivery is severely hindered by Israeli restrictions and the risk of looting, with some 90 trucks carrying essential supplies waiting to be inspected at the border.
  • Malnutrition is spreading rapidly among children and pregnant women, with aid workers warning that the territory could plunge into famine if the blockade is not fully lifted.
  • Nearly 71,000 children under the age of five are expected to be "acutely malnourished," with 14,100 cases expected to be severe over the next 11 months, according to the IPC.
  • Half a million people in Gaza face starvation, said a global hunger monitor earlier this month.
  • Only seven or eight hospitals out of Gaza's 36 are partially functioning, and more than 90% of medical stocks are at zero due to the blockade, said Palestinian Authority health minister, Majed Abu Ramadan.
  • The Palestinian Red Crescent society has yet to receive aid deliveries, with president Younis al-Khatib saying that sending only 90 trucks is an "invitation for killing" due to the risk of mobbing.
  • Experts warn tens of thousands of cases of malnutrition are expected in the coming year in Gaza.
  • Children are increasingly affected by malnutrition, with some clinics reporting up to 42% of pregnant women and 34% of lactating mothers being diagnosed as malnourished.
  • Ghadeer, a nurse with Project Hope, said that malnutrition cases have skyrocketed, with up to 200 cases per day seen in some clinics.

Statistics:

  • 29: Number of children and elderly people who have died from starvation in Gaza in the last two days.
  • 90: Number of trucks carrying essential supplies waiting to be inspected at the border.
  • 71,000: Number of children under the age of five expected to be "acutely malnourished" over the next 11 months.
  • 14,100: Number of cases expected to be severe over the next 11 months.
  • 500,000: Number of people in Gaza facing starvation.
  • 7-8: Number of hospitals partially functioning out of Gaza's 36.
  • 90%: Percentage of medical stocks at zero due to the blockade.
  • 42%: Percentage of pregnant women diagnosed as malnourished in some clinics.
  • 34%: Percentage of lactating mothers diagnosed as malnourished in some clinics.
  • 200: Number of malnutrition cases per day seen in some clinics.
  • 9,000: Number of children treated for malnutrition in Gaza this year, according to Unicef.
  • 52: Number of people killed in Israeli airstrikes on Thursday.
  • 52: Number of martyrs and dozens injured as a result of airstrikes, said Gaza's civil defence agency.

Sources:

  • "Palestinian minister: 29 children, elderly died of starvation in Gaza". BBC News.
  • "Gaza on brink of famine as Israel's blockade pushes Palestinians to starvation". The Guardian.
  • "UN says Gaza on brink of humanitarian catastrophe". Reuters.
  • "Gaza: Half a million people face starvation, says hunger monitor". The Independent.
  • "Malnutrition cases surge in Gaza as aid blockade continues". Al Jazeera.
  • "Palestinian Red Crescent Society: 'No aid has reached us, despite promises'". Haaretz.