Human Rights Watch: Israel starves children in Gaza

Human Rights Watch (HRW) today warned the Israeli regime about using hunger as a weapon of war and announced that children in Gaza are dying of complications from hunger and malnutrition.

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Human Rights Watch said in this statement that children in Gaza, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers, suffer from severe malnutrition and dehydration, and Gaza hospitals are not equipped to treat them.

The statement continued: “Governments should impose targeted sanctions and arms transfer suspensions to pressure the Israeli regime and ensure access to humanitarian aid and basic services in Gaza, in accordance with Israel’s obligations under international law.” become”.

Omar Shaker, representative of Palestine and Occupied Territories at Human Rights Watch, said: “The Israeli regime’s use of hunger as a weapon of war is deadly for the children of Gaza. Israel must end this war crime, stop this suffering and allow humanitarian aid to reach all of Gaza unhindered.”

The United Nations Coordination Group of 15 international organizations and UN agencies investigating the hunger crisis in Gaza reported on March 18 that “all evidence points to a major acceleration of mortality and malnutrition.” The group said that in northern Gaza, where an estimated 70 percent of the population is experiencing catastrophic hunger, famine could occur anytime between mid-March and May.

As of April 1, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that 32 people, including 28 children, died of malnutrition and dehydration in hospitals in northern Gaza. A day later, Save the Children international organization confirmed the death of 27 children due to hunger and disease.

Dr. Hossam Abusafia, who heads the pediatric department of Kamal Adwan Hospital, told Human Rights Watch on April 4 that 26 children died after experiencing symptoms of starvation in this hospital alone. He said: At least 16 children died under 5 months, at least 10 children between one and eight years old, and a 73-year-old man suffering from malnutrition also died.

Dr. Safia said that a two-day-old baby died due to complications caused by the mother’s dehydration. “[She] had no milk to give him”.

Human Rights Watch stated that the Israeli regime has deliberately prevented the delivery of aid, food and fuel to Gaza, while hindering humanitarian aid and depriving civilians of the means of survival. He added that this is a kind of “collective punishment” which is considered a war crime. fa-circle”/> International International