The death toll in Israel’s war on Gaza has surpassed 60,000, with medical sources reporting that at least 81 Palestinians, including 19 aid seekers, have been killed since dawn on Tuesday exacerbating humanitarian crisis. This grim milestone comes as the enclave faces an unfolding famine crisis, with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warning that famine thresholds have been reached for food consumption in most of the Gaza Strip and for acute malnutrition in Gaza City.
The IPC report highlights the dire situation on the ground, where food consumption has sharply deteriorated, and one in three individuals goes without food for days at a time. Malnutrition has risen rapidly, with over 20,000 children admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition between April and mid-July. More than 3,000 of them are severely malnourished. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The facts are in – and they are undeniable. Palestinians in Gaza are enduring a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions. This is not a warning. It is a reality unfolding before our eyes.”
Guterres demanded that aid deliveries no longer be blocked or delayed, urging that “the trickle of aid must become an ocean. Food, water, medicine, and fuel must flow in waves and without obstruction.” He called for an “immediate and permanent humanitarian ceasefire,” the unconditional release of all captives, and full access for humanitarian agencies across the enclave.
Dr. Ahmed al-Farra, director of pediatrics and maternity at Nasser Hospital, described the devastating impact of malnutrition on babies, saying they are “without muscles and fat tissue, just the skin over the bone”. Malnutrition can affect cognitive development, make it hard for a child to read and write, and lead to depression and anxiety. Tanya Haj Hassan, a doctor with Doctors Without Borders (MSF), warned that serious health risks remain even after food becomes available again, as malnutrition impacts all aspects of the body’s function.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has echoed the UN’s call for unimpeded humanitarian access, with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stating, “We do not need to wait for a declaration of famine in Gaza to know that people are already starving, sick and dying, while food and medicines are minutes away across the border.” The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with the entire population of 2.1 million facing prolonged food shortages.
Malnutrition has severe and long-lasting consequences, particularly for children. Dr. al-Farra explained that babies who have been malnourished will not have the required folic acid, B1 complex, and polyunsaturated fatty acids essential for the composition of the central nervous system. This can lead to impaired cognitive development, making it challenging for children to learn and thrive.
The international community is urging for immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Sima Bahous, executive director of UN Women, emphasized the need to end the horror, saying, “One million women and girls in Gaza face the unthinkable choice of starving or risking their lives while searching for food. This horror must end.” The IRC is calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, as well as a vast increase in humanitarian aid to save lives.
In light of this devastating situation, it is essential to prioritize humanitarian aid and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The people of Gaza are in dire need of assistance, and it is crucial that the international community responds with urgency and compassion.