Gaza: Starvation Grips Palestinian Children Amid Allegations of Deliberate Aid Obstruction

No child should suffer like this. This shocking screenshot captures the desperation of starving children, clinging to hope for a single morsel. The reported death toll is staggering.

Gaza: Starvation Grips Palestinian Children Amid Allegations of Deliberate Aid Obstruction

By TheNationWeek.Com  

July 4, 2025

GAZA CITY, Palestine – Over a month after Israel implemented a militarized aid distribution system in Gaza, Amnesty International has released findings suggesting the continued use of starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinian civilians.

The report alleges that these actions are designed to create conditions leading to the “physical destruction of Palestinians,” potentially constituting part of an ongoing genocide.

The investigation, based on harrowing testimonies from medical professionals, parents of malnourished children, and displaced individuals, paints a grim picture of widespread hunger and desperation.

Accounts detail severe aid restrictions, a militarized aid strategy, mass displacement, and relentless bombardment that has crippled vital infrastructure.

“While the world’s attention has been diverted, the genocide in Gaza has continued unabated,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

“A lethal combination of hunger and disease has pushed the population to its breaking point.”

The report highlights the deadly consequences of Israel’s aid distribution methods.

Hundreds of Palestinians have reportedly been killed or injured near aid distribution points or while attempting to reach humanitarian convoys in the month following the establishment of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which manages the militarized aid initiative.

Amnesty International attributes the tragic toll to intentional targeting by Israeli forces and the inherent dangers of the distribution system.

Humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations, have accused the Israeli government of systematically obstructing the delivery of critical supplies like food, fuel, and shelter within Gaza.

The report argues that the current militarized aid system transforms the quest for survival into a perilous ordeal for starving Palestinians, exacerbating chaos and suffering rather than alleviating it.

The aid provided remains woefully inadequate for a population enduring near-constant bombings and a blockade that has stretched for nearly 80 days.

“As the occupying power, Israel is legally obligated to ensure that Palestinians in Gaza have access to essential supplies,” Callamard emphasized.

“Instead, it has openly disregarded binding directives from the International Court of Justice, which called for the unimpeded flow of aid into Gaza. This situation must end immediately. Israel must lift all restrictions and grant safe, dignified, and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid throughout Gaza.”

Amnesty International’s investigation included interviews with 17 internally displaced individuals, parents of four severely malnourished children, and four healthcare workers across three hospitals in Gaza City and Khan Younis during May and June 2025.

Children Bear the Brunt of the Crisis

The report underscores the devastating impact of the blockade on children.

Even before the total siege imposed in March 2025, conditions created by Israel had a catastrophic effect on young children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Since October 2023, at least 66 children have died from malnutrition-related conditions, with countless more succumbing to preventable diseases worsened by starvation.

One particularly tragic case is that of four-month-old Jinan Iskafi, who died on May 3, 2025, due to severe malnutrition. Medical records reveal she was admitted to Rantissi Pediatric Hospital suffering from severe dehydration and recurrent infections.

Diagnosed with marasmus, a severe form of malnutrition, chronic diarrhea, and a suspected immunodeficiency, her pediatrician noted the unavailability of a specific lactose-free formula she desperately needed.

Gaza’s already strained healthcare system is struggling to cope with the influx of malnourished children.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as of June 15, 2025, a total of 18,741 children had been hospitalized for acute malnutrition since the beginning of the year. However, many more are unable to reach hospitals due to displacement orders and heavy bombardment.

“Adding Salt to Their Wounds”

The statistics only hint at the profound suffering within Gaza. Susan Maarouf, a nutrition expert at the Patient Friend Benevolent Society hospital in Gaza City, described the desperate situation. “Back then, malnutrition was already a significant issue due to the blockade. However, the situation worsened drastically in April this year. Out of the 200-250 children we screen daily for malnutrition, nearly 15% show signs of severe or moderate malnutrition.”

Maarouf expressed her frustration at being unable to provide adequate nutritional guidance due to severe food shortages, with essential items like fruits, vegetables, and eggs available only at exorbitant prices. “In our current reality, any recommendation feels like adding salt to their wounds,” she lamented.

The report highlights a troubling cycle of re-hospitalization, where children treated for malnutrition often relapse due to ongoing displacement and reliance on inadequate food sources.

Milk Crisis Threatens Newborns

Doctors have also raised alarms about acute shortages of baby formula, particularly for infants with lactose intolerance or allergies.

One doctor described an overall “milk crisis” in Gaza, where new mothers struggle to breastfeed due to their own inadequate nutrition and the trauma they face.

At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Dr. Wafaa Abu Nimer confirmed the alarming situation, reporting that nine children were being treated for malnutrition-related complications as of June 30, 2025.

She described the past two months as “unprecedented,” with severe cases of nutritional edema and marasmus, alongside untreated injuries from explosions.

Dr. Abu Nimer stated that the launch of Israel’s new aid distribution scheme has failed to improve the situation, with hundreds of children screened for malnutrition daily in their pediatric emergency room.

Long-Term Scars

The impact on children extends beyond physical health.

Dr. Abu Nimer recounted a poignant moment with a girl whose hair had fallen out due to nutritional edema, who kept asking, “Doctor, will my hair grow back? Am I still beautiful?”

“Even if these children fully recover, the scars will remain,” she reflected.

“Medically, we understand that malnutrition in infants and young children can lead to long-term cognitive and developmental issues, yet insufficient attention is given to the mental health and psychological effects of starvation.”

Amnesty International’s report adds to growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and raises serious questions about Israel’s compliance with international law.

The organization is calling for an immediate end to all restrictions on humanitarian aid and a thorough investigation into allegations of war crimes.