21 children die from malnutrition and starvation in Gaza hospital

Gaza, under siege and ongoing military operations, is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis marked by severe starvation and malnutrition. Over the past few weeks, reports have emerged detailing a substantial number of children suffering from malnutrition and its devastating effects. A hospital director announced that 21 children have died over a span of three days due to these dire conditions, signaling a significant escalation in the crisis. United Nations officials and various humanitarian organizations have been warning for months about the possibility of famine as the population struggles to access food and basic necessities amidst ongoing violence and blockades. The conditions in Gaza have been exacerbated by a full blockade imposed by Israel, which intensified following a breakdown in ceasefire negotiations. The blockade, first implemented on March 2, 2025, severely limited the entry of food and humanitarian aid, with a trickle of supplies only reaching the territory in late May. Reports from health officials indicate that nearly 100,000 women and children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition with ongoing food shortages forcing many families to go days without proper meals. International observers have highlighted that this situation is increasingly urgent, with the U.N. labeling it a potential famine without formally declaring one, thereby complicating the global response. Amidst this backdrop, the Gaza health system is overwhelmed with casualties from military actions, further hindering medical aid for hunger-related symptoms. Health authorities note that many patients arriving at hospitals are in severe distress due to lack of food, with hospitals unable to address the rising malnutrition cases due to limited medical supplies. The U.N. has reported over 1,000 fatalities among Palestinians who were attempting to secure food aid, underscoring the heightened risks associated with seeking assistance in this combat zone. Humanitarian organizations have also criticized the Israeli military's aid distribution system, arguing it jeopardizes humanitarian principles and worsens the crisis. In light of these dire reports, more than 100 NGOs have alerted the international community about the escalating situation, calling for urgent action to open all crossings for aid delivery and an immediate ceasefire to address the humanitarian disaster. The situation in Gaza has reached extreme levels of desperation, with an alarming increase in malnutrition cases and related deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children. The unfolding events demonstrate a complex interaction between military actions, humanitarian crises, and political tensions, further complicating the residents' ability to acquire essential services and sustenance, as international response efforts remain critically inadequate.