So far, the UN has confirmed that at least 10 children have died as a result of starvation. These deaths were reported in the north of Gaza, where an estimated 300,000 people remain.
The Hamas-controlled Palestinian Health Ministry says 27 children have died of malnutrition and dehydration in recent weeks. The ministry claims others have died in Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital, also in the north, and in the southernmost city of Rafah. These claims have not been independently verified.
Al-Shifa hospital, the Strip’s biggest hospital before the war, has been under siege for five consecutive days. The Israeli military claimed on Thursday that they had killed over 50 armed Palestinians during “exchanges of fire” and said troops had detained over 500 suspects.
Nearly all of Gaza’s 36 hospitals have been forced to close because of the fighting. There are only 12 hospitals – six in the north and six south of Wadi Gaza – that remain only partially functional, facing critical shortages of electricity, medications, medical equipment, food, and personnel.
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