Gaza Enters Fifth Stage of Famine; Starving Population’s Health Deteriorates
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and the Palestine Information Center, the head of medical relief in Gaza warned Al Jazeera that health conditions in the area are deteriorating rapidly. Gaza has now reached its fifth stage of famine.
Mohammed Abu Afash stated that no food or medical aid has entered Gaza over the past five months. The population is left entirely without access to food,drinking water,or healthcare services.He reported that 17,000 children in Gaza suffer from severe malnutrition.The absence of infant formula and essential nutrients has caused critical and life-threatening problems for newborns.
He cautioned that unless medicines and medical equipment are delivered promptly, mortality rates will rise drastically. Abu Afash emphasized that while people in Gaza struggle with severe food scarcity-even lacking a single sack of flour-the occupying forces deliberately destroy large quantities of food supplies.
He added that many wounded patients hospitalized in Gaza require urgent medication and care; however,due to the blockade and lack of equipment,their treatment faces serious obstacles.
Abu Afash announced a new UNICEF promise to deliver six trucks carrying medical aid today and expressed hope this small step could ease some suffering among Gaza’s people.
