Children are dying of starvation in northern Gaza hospitals
In all, at least 16 children have died of malnutrition in aid-deprived northern Gaza, according to Gaza's health ministry. A World Health Organization relief mission has visited two hospitals in northern Gaza and encountered a tragic situation. Mission members said that children are dying of starvation there.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said agency officials visited Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan hospitals in northern Gaza last weekend.
This was our first visit (to these hospitals) after October 2023. "We have tried to make regular visits to northern Gaza, but this initiative has not been successful," Tedros added.
In a post on social media X, he said that the employees of the organization faced a 'terrible' situation there.
Tedros said medical workers were struggling to cope with the influx of patients at Kamal Adwan, the only children's hospital in northern Gaza.
10 children died there without getting food, he added.
In all, at least 16 children have died of malnutrition in aid-deprived northern Gaza, according to Gaza's health ministry.
The United Nations warned last week that famine in the Gaza Strip is unlikely to be avoided amid hostile conditions created by the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel.
In addition to the severe food shortage in two hospitals in northern Gaza, Tedros also warned, 'The lack of uninterrupted power supply is disrupting the treatment of patients in hospitals. Patients' lives are at risk due to lack of electricity, especially in pediatric and adult intensive care units.'
Tedros said that during this weekend mission, the World Health Organization provided 9,500 liters of fuel oil and some emergency medical supplies to both hospitals.
"This is only a small part of what is needed to save everyone's life," Tedros added.
He urged Israel to ensure 'safe and regular delivery of humanitarian aid'.
"The greatest medicine for all patients in Gaza is peace and a ceasefire," he added.
Hamas launched an ambush on Israeli territory on October 7. One thousand 200 people were killed and about 253 people were taken hostage by Hamas. Of the hostages, 130 are still in Gaza and 31 are said to have been killed.
