DaysofPal – The humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepened further on Friday as hospitals reported two new deaths from famine and malnutrition, among them a 10-year-old girl. The overall toll of hunger-related deaths has now risen to 413 Palestinians, including 143 children, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
Medical officials at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza confirmed the death of 10-year-old Amna Maarouf, who succumbed to severe malnutrition. The ministry added that in the past 24 hours alone, hospitals documented seven deaths linked to starvation, one of them a child.
Since the International Committee of the Red Cross officially declared famine in Gaza, at least 135 people, including 28 children, have died from hunger.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warned that Gaza’s population remains trapped without safety or adequate food supplies. “Families continue to face harsh conditions and increasing food insecurity,” the agency said, stressing that it is being deliberately targeted despite being Gaza’s largest humanitarian provider.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the international community’s inaction, warning, “What is happening in Gaza is a failure of humanity… Inaction and indifference in this situation could amount to complicity in the crime.”
Beyond starvation deaths, Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported that 64,756 Palestinians have been killed and 164,059 wounded since October 7, 2023. Many victims remain trapped under rubble or in areas unreachable by rescue teams.
The famine crisis has been directly fueled by Israel’s policies. Since March 2, Israel has kept all border crossings closed, blocking the entry of food, medical supplies, and humanitarian relief. Despite thousands of aid trucks waiting at Gaza’s borders, only sporadic and insufficient quantities have been permitted in, supplies that local authorities say are often seized by armed gangs allegedly operating under Israeli protection.
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