Children of the Gaza Strip suffer due to Israeli bombing and malnutrition (Al Jazeera)
Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, said that a number of children in the northern Gaza Strip died during the past days due to malnutrition, food shortages, and the spread of diseases and epidemics resulting from the ongoing Israeli aggression and siege.
Abu Safiya explained that most of the cases arrived at the hospital suffering from symptoms of severe dehydration due to malnutrition, in addition to the spread of infections in the digestive system and intestinal infections.
Abu Safiya added that the hospital merged the care and nursery departments due to the power outage, noting that newborns arrive at the hospital in very critical conditions, and show signs of weakness and paleness due to their mothers’ malnutrition.
He pointed out that the lack of infant formula exacerbates this suffering, describing the conditions of children - especially newborns - as catastrophic.
Kamal Adwan Hospital Director stressed that if urgent relief is not provided to the hospital, more children are at risk of death.
One in 10 children in Gaza - under the age of five - suffer from acute malnutrition, according to preliminary data from the United Nations through arm measurements that show levels of wasting in children.
The ActionAid charity said that some people are resorting to eating grass. She added, "Everyone in Gaza is now suffering from hunger, and people receive only 1.5 or two liters of non-drinking water per day to meet all their needs."
Source: Al Jazeera