Hunger is killing children in Gaza as aid is cut off

At least people including children have died from starvation or malnutrition in Gaza since early March humanitarian agencies assessment as food aid remains severely restricted under a near-total Israeli blockade Israel cut off humanitarian assistance in early March and has since maintained tight control over food fuel and therapeutic supplies entering Gaza The destruction of bakeries food warehouses and infrastructure has pushed more than a quarter of Gaza s population to the brink of famine Acute malnutrition and starvation are widespread and UN agencies warn the enclave is entering a catastrophic phase Despite Israeli and U S contends that Hamas has been diverting and stealing aid a confidential USAID analysis disclosed in late June studied broadcasted loss or theft incidents and located no evidence that Hamas benefited systematically from U S -funded supplies Instead at least cases involved actions by Israeli forces directly or indirectly as aid was disrupted near military checkpoints or strikes A State Department spokesperson disputed those findings citing video evidence of Hamas looting aid that has not been publicly shown Aid workers and journalists in Gaza are themselves going hungry with dozens collapsing or dying after hours spent waiting in lines at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation GHF distribution centers an armed private aid system backed by the Trump administration and Israeli establishment Over Palestinians have died in new months trying to access food near these sites President Trump has endorsed the GHF model and blamed Hamas for obstructing ceasefire talks while withdrawing U S negotiators and resisting pressure to reopen crossings or restore UN-led aid channels Critics argue his protocol is complicit in a strategy of starvation and amounts to using hunger as leverage in broader geopolitical aims Global pressure is intensifying Leaders from the U K France and Germany have demanded an immediate ceasefire and the lifting of Israel s blockade UN agents warn that without urgent reversal Gaza faces one of the worst famines in modern history one driven not by conflict alone but by agenda decisions Read more about the Israel-Gaza conflict From Gaza to Ukraine war is also an assault on populace fitness Worked very hard to bring peace Trump says Israel has agreed to Gaza ceasefire conditions It s a killing field Israeli soldiers describe firing on civilians at US-backed Gaza aid sites The post Hunger is killing children in Gaza as aid is cut off appeared first on Salon com