Gaza City, April 23 (RHC)-- The director general of Gaza's Health Ministry says hunger has been added to the cause of death for children in the Palestinian territory that is subject to a genocidal Israeli war and blockade.

"Gaza’s children are now dying not only from bombs, but from starvation and untreated illness," Munir al-Boursh said on Tuesday.  He also noted that Gaza's Health Ministry is counting those killed due to famine separately from those killed in Israeli attacks.

At least 53 children have lost their lives due to malnutrition caused by Israel's crime of deliberate starvation of people in the Gaza Strip, he added.  Israel unleashed its brutal Gaza onslaught on October 7, 2023. So far, the offensive has killed at least 51,240 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 116,931 others. 

Israel is also intentionally targeting Gaza ambulances, hospitals and medical workers while blocking the entry of all humanitarian aid into the territory.

Boursh said the health system of the Gaza Strip has been collapsed under the inhumane Israeli siege, which has caused severe shortages of medicines and electricity.  “We are providing healthcare under the hardest, most extreme conditions,” with 18 out of 38 Gaza hospitals still partially operating, he pointed out.

The official further said that 1,400 medics, including 150 doctors and 221 nurses, have been killed in the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.  Denouncing the Israeli war of extermination and the international community’s inaction, he said the occupying regime is deliberately targeting children.

More than 15,615 children have been martyred in the course of the war, including over 600 children who have been killed since March 18.

Meanwhile, Boursh said Israeli airstrikes on tents sheltering women and children have caused horrific injuries.  “Bodies are arriving burned and mutilated,” he added, suggesting that the Israeli military is using new experimental munitions “gifted by America.”

[ SOURCE:  PRESS TV and NEWS AGENCIES ]