Gaza Crisis Deepens: Malnutrition Deaths Rise, Family Homes Targeted!
Gaza Faces Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with a sharp rise in malnutrition-related deaths and reports of attacks on family homes. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, seven more people have died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 154 since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023, including a staggering 89 children.
These figures paint a grim picture of the conditions on the ground, with UN-backed food security experts warning that the worst-case scenario of famine is "currently playing out" in Gaza. While Israel maintains it is not restricting aid, this claim is disputed by European allies, the UN, and other agencies operating in the region.
Attacks on Families Intensify
Disturbing data reveals a pattern of attacks targeting family homes in Gaza, leading to a disproportionate number of casualties among women and children. Sky News analysis of data from Gaza's health ministry shows that on the deadliest days of the conflict, almost half of all people killed died alongside a family member. The 18th of March saw a peak in these attacks, accounting for almost two-thirds of all deaths that day. One particularly tragic incident involved the death of Ahmed Al-Hatta, his wife, and their six children in an Israeli strike on their home.
While the Israeli military claims to be targeting Hamas, the data suggests that the vast majority of those killed in these strikes are innocent civilians.
Aid Distribution Under Scrutiny
Reports also emerged of six Palestinians being killed near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution centre in Rafah. While sources claim an Israeli tank attacked crowds attempting to enter the centre, the GHF denies any killings occurred at or near its sites. The IDF stated that warning shots were fired at a distance from the centre after a "gathering of suspects" posed a threat to troops, adding that the reported number of casualties does not align with their information. These conflicting accounts highlight the chaotic and dangerous conditions surrounding aid distribution in Gaza.
International Concern Grows
The US special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to visit Israel to discuss the crisis, marking his first visit in nearly three months. This comes after the US and Israel recalled their delegations from Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar, with Washington accusing Hamas negotiators of not acting in good faith. The international community is increasingly concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and is urging all parties to work towards a ceasefire and ensure the delivery of aid to those in need.