After about three months of a total aid blockade in Gaza and intensified attacks from Israel, the children are bearing the brunt of the consequences, according to a local doctor. The situation has reached a critical point, with children facing death, injuries, and even starvation. Dr. Ahmmed Al-Farra, head of pediatrics and maternity at Gaza’s Nasser Medical Complex, described the humanitarian crisis as “unbelievable.” He has witnessed children dying from hunger and preventable injuries, scenes that he had only read about in textbooks but never imagined seeing in real life.
Hospitals in Gaza are struggling to cope with the overwhelming number of patients, and many have collapsed in the region. In the north of the strip, there are no public hospitals operating, and even the once-largest hospital in southern Gaza, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli airstrikes. Dr. Al-Farra highlighted the lack of essential equipment and medication, leading to patients dying on the operating table. He painted a grim picture of the situation, with children suffering from severe malnutrition and other health complications.
The dire circumstances in Gaza have led to a catastrophic hunger crisis, with nearly 500,000 people facing starvation, according to a report by 17 UN agencies and NGOs. Despite international warnings, Israel imposed a blockade on humanitarian aid entering the territory, exacerbating the suffering of the population. The limited aid that has been allowed in is insufficient to address the growing needs of the people in Gaza. Dr. Al-Farra emphasized the urgent need for more aid to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable, especially children.
