Rising Malnutrition Among Gaza’s Children as Crisis Worsens
The rate of severe malnutrition among children under five at medical facilities operated by Médecins Sans Frontières in Gaza City has tripled in the past two weeks, according to the organization. The situation highlights the deepening hunger crisis in the besieged territory.
International humanitarian groups have raised urgent concerns as Gaza faces worsening starvation, with reports of daily fatalities due to limited aid access. MSF reported that a quarter of young children and pregnant or breastfeeding women screened at its clinics last week showed signs of malnutrition. The number of patients requiring treatment for malnutrition at its Gaza City site has quadrupled since May.
With over 1,000 staff in Gaza providing critical medical services, MSF is one of the primary healthcare providers in the region. The organization attributes the crisis to severe restrictions on aid delivery, as Israel faces increasing criticism from global agencies over the blockade.
Global Recognition of Palestinian Statehood
A growing number of countries have recognized Palestinian statehood over the years. In 1988, 81 nations acknowledged Palestine’s declaration of independence, followed by South Africa in 1995, Brazil in 2010, Chile in 2011, and Thailand in 2012.
Recently, additional countries have taken similar steps in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Spain and Ireland recognized Palestine last year, Mexico did so this year, and France has signaled its intention to follow suit.
Detention of Gaza’s Medical Workers
At least 28 doctors from Gaza are currently held in Israeli prisons, including eight senior specialists in surgery, orthopedics, intensive care, cardiology, and pediatrics, according to Healthcare Workers Watch (HWW), a Palestinian medical group.
Twenty-one of those detained have been held for over 400 days without charges, HWW reported. Three additional healthcare workers have been detained since early July.
On Monday, Gaza’s Health Ministry stated that Dr. Marwan al-Hams, director of Abu Youssef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah, was taken by Israeli forces near a Red Cross field hospital. His location remains unknown, with no confirmation from Israeli authorities. The World Health Organization also reported the detention of two of its staff members from a facility in Deir al-Balah—one remains in custody.
Rights groups note an increasing number of medical personnel among the hundreds of healthcare workers detained in Gaza.
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Gaza aid site visit amid UN report of 1,373 killed waiting for food since May – Israel-Gaza war
US Official Steve Witkoff Visits Gaza Aid Location
Steve Witkoff, the US president’s representative for the Middle East, visited Gaza and was shown one of the disputed aid locations where hundreds of Palestinians have lost their lives in clashes with Israeli forces.
Before his trip to the site in