Israel has announced plans to conduct airdrops of aid, including flour, sugar, and canned food, in the Gaza Strip as the malnutrition crisis deepens. The move comes amid international pressure and amid claims that the Israeli government is deliberately starving civilians.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), seven pallets of aid are set to be dropped over the next few days. The IDF also plans to create a “humanitarian pause” in civilian areas on Sunday, allowing for the passage of aid. However, the location and timing of this pause have not been announced.
The Gaza Ministry of Health has reported 127 Palestinian deaths from malnutrition since October 7, 2023, with 85 being children. The ministry also said five more Palestinians died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours.
Humanitarian groups have expressed concerns about the lack of supplies and the limited capacity of the four stabilization centers for malnutrition in Gaza. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that 25% of children and pregnant or breastfeeding women screened at clinics are malnourished, with cases of severe malnutrition in children under five tripling in two weeks.
The Israeli government has denied claims of deliberate starvation and blamed Hamas for stealing aid meant for civilians. However, humanitarian groups accuse the Israeli government of implementing restrictions that have created a food shortage crisis.
In related news, the ongoing Gaza war has resulted in over 59,000 Palestinian deaths, according to data released by the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/idf-conduct-aid-airdrops-gaza-hunger-crisis-deepens/story?id=124102654