Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Monday that at least 14 more Palestinians have died of starvation caused by the US-backed Israeli siege on the Palestinian territroy.
“Gaza Strip hospitals recorded 14 new deaths in the past 24 hours due to famine and malnutrition,” the ministry wrote on Telegram. “This brings the total number of deaths from famine and malnutrition to 147, including 88 children.”
A source at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City told Al Jazeera that among the dead was Muhammad Ibrahim Adas, an infant who died of malnutrition due to the shortage of baby formula. Babies have been especially vulnerable since malnourished mothers are unable to produce breast milk.
The latest starvation deaths come after Israel announced several steps to allow more aid to enter Gaza, including air-dropped aid, allowing more aid trucks to enter, and enacting “tactical pauses” in areas where its military isn’t operating. Israel took the steps in the face of significant international pressure over its starvation campaign.
The UN and other aid groups have said there’s been some progress in getting more aid into Gaza, but warn the humanitarian catastrophe cannot be averted unless all restrictions are lifted and there is a complete ceasefire.
“Opening all the crossings and flooding Gaza with assistance is the only way to avert further deepening of starvation among the people of Gaza. What’s needed is at least 500/600 trucks of basics every day,” the UN’s Palestinian relief agency, UNRWA, said on Monday.
“Meanwhile, we call once again, for a long-term ceasefire as part of an agreement that would bring respite to starving people, an uninterrupted flow of basic supplies as well as the release of all hostages,” UNRWA added.
