A mother’s desperate cry echoes through a shattered Gaza street as she mourns the loss of her 5-month-old daughter, Zainab. The baby’s weight had dropped to less than 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) from over 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) at birth, a tragic result of severe starvation.
Zainab was one of 85 children to die of malnutrition-related causes in Gaza during the war, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. The child needed special formula that did not exist in Gaza, leading to chronic diarrhea and vomiting. Her weakened immune system made her vulnerable to bacterial infections and sepsis.
The family, like many Palestinians, lives in a tent and relies on aid. The mother, who also suffers from malnutrition, breastfed Zainab for only six weeks before trying to feed her formula. “With my daughter’s death, many will follow,” she said. “Their names are on a list that no one looks at. We are just numbers.”
Doctors blame Israel’s restrictions on the entry of aid and medical supplies for the surge in malnutrition cases. Food security experts warn of famine in Gaza, where the average of 69 trucks a day is far below the 500 to 600 trucks needed. The UN says it has been unable to distribute much of the aid due to hungry crowds and gangs taking most of it.
As the mother grieved, she said, “There was a shortage of everything. How can a girl like her recover?” The situation in Gaza is dire, with many relying on aid. The UN reports that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since May while trying to get food.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-starvation-children-malnutrition-baby-baf865b861c9a2fd9c75068936062146