The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm once again, highlighting the increasingly dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, a WHO spokesperson raised concerns over the escalating number of infants teetering on the brink of death due to acute hunger.
Dr. Margaret Harris, speaking on behalf of the WHO, emphasized the harrowing accounts shared by medical professionals witnessing the devastating effects of starvation among newborns.
“What doctors and medical staff are telling us is, more and more, they are seeing the effects of starvation; they’re seeing newborn babies simply dying because they (have) too low birth weight,” stated Dr. Harris.
The situation is compounded by a growing population of dangerously underweight pregnant women, further exacerbating the crisis.
Dr. Harris emphasized that the current humanitarian catastrophe is entirely man-made, underscoring the stark contrast from a time when Gaza’s health system operated effectively.
While the WHO had aimed to establish emergency malnutrition stabilization centers in Gaza, progress has been stymied by access limitations and safety risks.
Despite successfully setting up one center in southern Gaza, endeavors to establish another in the northern region have been thwarted.
“But we can’t bring them in at the scale and to the people without the access and the safety. So there is no answer until there’s a ceasefire,” lamented Dr. Harris, underscoring the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities to facilitate vital humanitarian interventions.
In the most recent tally of the ongoing Israeli aggression since October 7, 2023, the Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported that the number of casualties has surged to 31,819 civilians (with 72% being women and children). Additionally, there are 73,934 individuals wounded, with injuries ranging from moderate to severe and critical.
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