Infant Dies of Starvation in Gaza Amid Ongoing Aid Shortages

A five-month-old girl, Zainab Abu Halib, died from severe malnutrition in southern Gaza, weighing less than when she was born, according to her family and hospital staff. Her death is among at least 85 children and 42 adults who have died from malnutrition-related causes in Gaza in the past three weeks, the territory’s Health Ministry reported on Saturday.

Zainab's father, Ahmed Abu Halib, said she required a special baby formula that was unavailable in Gaza. Dr. Ahmed al-Farah, head of the pediatric department at Nasser Hospital, stated that the child had no underlying diseases but suffered from chronic diarrhea and vomiting due to the lack of appropriate formula, leading to a weakened immune system and fatal complications.

Medical staff in Gaza report a surge in malnutrition cases, with the pediatric department at Nasser Hospital treating about 60 cases of acute malnutrition despite having only eight beds. Dr. al-Farah warned, "Unless the crossings are opened and food and baby formula are allowed in for this vulnerable segment of Palestinian society, we will witness unprecedented numbers of deaths."

Doctors and aid workers attribute the crisis to Israeli restrictions on the entry of aid and medical supplies. Israel says it has allowed in thousands of trucks carrying food and baby formula since May, but the United Nations notes that the current average of 69 trucks per day is far below the 500 to 600 needed. The U.N. also reports difficulties distributing aid due to security concerns and the presence of large crowds.

Much of Gaza's population now relies on humanitarian assistance, and families like Zainab's remain displaced and face ongoing shortages. Her mother described the situation as a "shortage of everything," expressing concern for other children at risk.