Gaza Crisis Worsens as Israel Blockade Causes Starvation
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with the World Health Organization warning of a catastrophic situation, and the international community facing criticism for its response to the crisis, as the death toll rises and the blockade remains in place, affecting the lives of millions of Palestinians, with Israel's actions at the center of the crisis.
At least 31 people were killed in Gaza on Thursday, with more reported deaths on Friday morning, as Israel's 60-day blockade on aid entering the territory continues to cause widespread suffering, including the starvation of children, which the World Health Organization has described as an "abomination".
The Israeli military campaign, which resumed on March 18, aims to force Hamas to free the remaining prisoners, but it has resulted in a severe shortage of food and medical supplies, with the UN's World Food Programme stating that it has sent out its "last remaining food stocks" to kitchens. The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli blockade for nearly two months, with over 2.4 million Palestinians relying on international aid.
The World Health Organization has condemned the situation in Gaza, with its emergencies director, Mike Ryan, expressing anger and frustration, saying that the world is complicit in the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. The organization has described the situation as an "abomination" that is breaking the "bodies and minds" of Gaza's children.
The overall death toll since the war broke out has risen to 52,418, with at least 29 Palestinians, including eight people from the Abu Sahlul family, killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza. The international community has been criticized for its response to the crisis, with many calling for an end to the blockade and a resumption of aid to the territory.