The international charity organisation Save the Children says Gaza is facing a “mass killing of children in slow motion” as Israel continues to block delivery of aid into the besieged enclave.
“What we are witnessing in Gaza is a mass killing of children in slow motion because there is no food left and nothing getting to them. They are dying because the world has failed to protect them, and now families are fleeing to Israel’s next military target to avoid starvation, caught in a death trap,” said Jason Lee, Save the Children’s country director in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Kamal Adwan Hospital Director Ahmed al-Kahlout reported that seven children in Gaza have succumbed to malnutrition at the facility. Initially, four children were reported dead at the hospital in northern Gaza, with others in critical condition. The hospital has faced a fuel shortage for its generators.
Dr Maram, the lead physician for Project Hope, revealed that 21% of pregnant women treated at the Deir al Balah clinic in the three weeks leading up to 24 February were suffering from malnutrition. One in 10 children in Gaza seen at the clinic were also identified as malnourished.
Doctors in central Gaza warn that one in five pregnant women treated at a local clinic is malnourished, a consequence of fuel and medical supply shortages. The last hospital in the northern part of the Gaza Strip has shuttered its doors.
Despite warnings of pockets of famine and widespread hunger, only a limited amount of aid is reaching Gaza. Shipments to the region have plummeted by about half in the past month compared to January, with an average of fewer than 100 trucks per day or 2,300 for the entire month.
The United Nations has highlighted this shortfall, emphasising that the current aid falls far below the estimated 500 trucks needed daily to meet the population’s basic needs.
Logistical challenges, including movement restrictions, border inspections, and visa freezes, block aid efforts in Gaza. Doctors Without Borders reports delays of up to one month for supplies due to extensive screening. Israeli authorities deny limiting aid shipments, instead blaming failures by humanitarian agencies.
Doctors Without Borders warns that healthcare facilities have been deliberately targeted. Medical professionals struggle to provide adequate care, leading to an increase in preventable deaths. Gaza witnesses what has been described as a mass killing of children in slow motion, according to Alexandra Saieh, the head of humanitarian policy and advocacy at Save the Children International.
USAID Head Samantha Power noted that it is a matter of life and death for more aid crossings to be opened to Gaza.
Since 7 October, at least 30,000 Palestinians have been killed with 70,325 others wounded in Israeli attacks.
A 35-year-old Palestinian man was shot and killed by Israeli forces during an attack on the town of Beit Furik, east of Nablus. The incident occurred during clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian resistance fighters in Beit Furik. The man was reportedly shot in the abdomen.
Israeli forces conducted raids in various locations across the occupied West Bank, including the town of Arraba and the village of Jalboun in the Jenin governorate, the town of Qaffin north of Tulkarem city, the town of Azzun east of Qalqilya city, and the city of Hebron and the town of Bani Naim east of Hebron.
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim acknowledges that there is still a long way to go in securing a potential ceasefire deal with Israel. Three US Congress members are advocating for restoring US funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen expressed reservations about pursuing normalisation with Saudi Arabia if it comes at the cost of a Palestinian state.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has called on Palestinians to march to the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem on 10 March to mark the start of Ramadan. However, concerns are mounting about clashes beyond Gaza during Ramadan if Israeli attacks persist.
President Biden’s support for Israel is getting increased scrutiny, especially in light of concerns about the upcoming presidential vote. The Michigan primary saw a significant protest vote, with over 10% of Michigan Democrats (100,000 voters) casting a ballot for “uncommitted” following a campaign by progressive Democrats and Arab-Americans expressing dissatisfaction with the handling of the Gaza war. Biden has suggested a possible ceasefire deal before Ramadan. Both Israel and Hamas downplayed such prospects, citing significant differences. Qatari mediators are involved in facilitating dialogue between the conflicting parties.
Prime Minister Netanyahu faces increasing domestic pressure to secure the release of hostages. However, he insists on continuing the military campaign until total victory is achieved. Relatives and friends of hostages have initiated a four-day march from the Nova festival site to Jerusalem.
President Biden has cautioned Netanyahu against a ground offensive in Rafah, where over 1.5 million people seek shelter unless there’s a credible plan to protect civilians. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned against an assault, citing impatience within the international community.
On the Palestinian side, political factions are set to meet in Moscow to discuss the potential formation of a unity government and the reconstruction of Gaza. This follows the resignation of Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, who pointed out the need for a comprehensive new approach. Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki cautioned that he does not expect miracles from the talks, which will involve representatives from both Hamas and Fatah, the governing party in the West Bank.