GAZA CITY – A five-week-old baby and a four-year-old child have died from hunger in Gaza as Israel’s blockade on food and fuel continues to choke the region. Hospital officials confirmed the heartbreaking deaths, with Al-Shifa Hospital reporting the infant’s passing, and Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital confirming the death of young Razan Abu Zaher due to severe malnutrition.
Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital, stated that the infant died overnight from extreme malnutrition. Another person reportedly died from starvation the same night. Gaza’s Ministry of Health revealed that emergency rooms are overwhelmed, with over 17,000 children suffering from critical malnutrition. The lack of aid and clean water has left families increasingly desperate.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have continued to fire on Palestinians gathered at aid points, according to Al Jazeera. Many of these sites are backed by U.S. aid programs but are now being described as “death traps” due to repeated violence. On the ground, aid workers report chaos and danger as they try to distribute essentials to starving civilians.
In a separate development, Israeli settlers attacked a major water supply system in the West Bank, cutting off water to thousands of Palestinians. The Ein Samiyah spring, serving nearly 110,000 people, was temporarily shut down after settlers damaged key pipelines. Technicians have since repaired the system, but officials warn of long-term consequences if such attacks continue.
At the same time, Israeli forces killed at least six Palestinians and destroyed several civilian homes in northern Gaza and Gaza City. The strikes occurred in the early hours of Saturday as part of ongoing operations. In Shujayea, east of Gaza City, entire homes were flattened, according to reports from Palestinian media and Al Jazeera.
Since the start of the war in October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 58,600 Palestinians, including over 17,000 children. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for top Israeli leaders over war crimes, while a separate genocide case is being pursued at the International Court of Justice.