21 Children Die of Starvation in Gaza Within 72 Hours, Says Al-Shifa Hospital Director
DUBAI, July 23 (Voice of Malaysia): At least 21 children have died from starvation and malnutrition across the Gaza Strip in the past 72 hours, according to Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Dr. Salmiya said the deaths occurred at several medical facilities, including Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, and Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis.
“These children died due to severe malnutrition and complications related to hunger, amid catastrophic shortages of food and medical supplies,” he said.
The tragic deaths highlight the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where aid access remains critically restricted despite mounting international pressure. Medical officials and aid organizations have repeatedly warned that the blockade of aid, combined with continuous Israeli military operations, is pushing the enclave toward full-scale famine.
In a related statement, the United Nations reported that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while trying to access humanitarian assistance since the start of operations by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—a program supported by both Israel and the United States.
According to UN human rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan, 766 individuals were killed near GHF distribution sites and another 288 near UN and other aid convoys.
“These deaths were caused by Israeli military fire,” Al-Kheetan said.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk issued a grave warning on Tuesday over Israel’s intensified military actions in Deir al-Balah, where thousands of civilians have taken refuge after fleeing fighting in other areas.
“It seemed the nightmare couldn’t possibly get worse. And yet it does,” said Türk. “Given the concentration of civilians in the area, and the means and methods of warfare employed by Israel until now, the risks of unlawful killings and other serious violations of international humanitarian law are extremely high.”
On the same day, at least 20 additional Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting areas that had previously seen little direct conflict during the 21-month-long war, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also voiced strong condemnation of recent attacks on civilians seeking aid.
“The killing of civilians seeking aid in Gaza is indefensible,” Kallas said on social media. She confirmed speaking with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and warned that “all options are on the table” should humanitarian access commitments not be fulfilled.
The deteriorating conditions in Gaza—where food, water, and medicine are nearly nonexistent—have prompted international outcry. Yet, aid agencies say that convoys continue to face delays, restrictions, and attacks, leaving millions, especially children, in life-threatening conditions.
As of this week, malnutrition-related deaths are expected to rise sharply unless sustained humanitarian corridors are established and protected from hostilities.
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