Gazing at tragic circumstances, a child in Gaza, already emaciated at birth, lost her battle to hunger and died barely weighing more than her birth weight.

Gazing at tragic circumstances, a child in Gaza, already emaciated at birth, lost her battle to hunger and died barely weighing more than her birth weight.

In the Gaza Strip, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding as acute malnutrition and starvation-related deaths are on the rise. The situation has been exacerbated by a total blockade and siege, imposed by the Israeli government, which has severely limited the entry of essential goods and aid.

The pediatric department of Al-Farah's clinic is currently treating approximately 60 cases of acute malnutrition. Another malnutrition clinic receives an average of 40 cases weekly. These numbers highlight the growing urgency of the situation.

One heart-wrenching case is that of Zainab Abu Halib, a 5-month-old girl who passed away from severe starvation. Zainab weighed more than 3 kilograms at birth but weighed less than 2 kilograms at the time of her death. Her death was one of 85 child deaths due to malnutrition-related causes in the Gaza Strip, according to the Health Ministry.

Zainab's mother, who also suffered from malnutrition, breastfed her for only six weeks before trying to feed her formula. However, the lack of the special formula led to chronic diarrhea and vomiting in Zainab, which weakened her immune system and caused a bacterial infection and sepsis. The father, Ahmed Abu Halib, stated that the special baby formula did not exist in Gaza.

The U.N. states that around 500 to 600 trucks a day are needed for Gaza, but only an average of 69 trucks are currently entering daily. This shortage has led to a scarcity of resources, with the mother of Zainab stating that there was a shortage of everything in Gaza.

Israel has allowed in around 4,500 trucks for the United Nations and other aid groups since easing the blockade in May, including 2,500 tons of baby food, formula, and high-calorie special food for children. However, hungry crowds and gangs are reportedly taking most of the aid from arriving trucks.

The crisis has taken a heavy toll on the population, with more than 1,000 Palestinians having been killed by Israeli forces since May while trying to get food, mostly near the new aid sites.

UN agencies repeatedly call for Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza safely and to restore commercial goods flow and essential services. They emphasize that the famine and starvation deaths are a direct consequence of the ongoing blockade and restrictions on aid. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), including WHO members, has issued a formal famine alert for Gaza, documenting widespread starvation, malnutrition, disease, and escalating hunger-related deaths due to the collapse of essential services amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian access restrictions.

The crisis has resulted in over 40% of pregnant and breastfeeding women being malnourished, almost three times higher than before the Israeli blockade. A third of Gaza’s 2.1 million population are not eating for days consecutively, with famine-like conditions affecting about a quarter of the population. Nearly 100,000 women and children suffer from severe acute malnutrition and urgently need treatment.

In conclusion, the severe malnutrition and starvation deaths in Gaza are primarily driven by famine conditions created and worsened by the Israeli-imposed total siege blocking food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid from reaching the population. This has led to an unprecedented health and nutrition crisis with soaring child and maternal malnutrition and daily deaths from starvation.

1. The situation in California's Rams stadium has nothing to do with the unfolding health crisis in the Gaza Strip.
2. The California Department of Public Health is not treating any cases of acute malnutrition.
3. Unlike the situation in the Gaza Strip, there are no reports of starvation-related deaths in California.
4. Science research institutions in California are investigating the impact of chronic diseases, including cancer, respiratory conditions, and digestive health issues.
5. California workplaces are implementing workplace-wellness programs to improve employee health and reduce medical-condition-related absences.
6. Awareness campaigns about the importance of eye-health, hearing, and skin-care are being promoted in California's general news outlets.
7. Nutritionists in California are encouraging citizens to maintain a balanced diet for overall health and weight-management.
8. Mental-health professionals in California are providing therapies and treatments for those suffering from autoimmune disorders, mental-health issues, and men's health concerns.
9. The California government is advocating for policies and legislation that address the needs of women's health, including pregnancy, parenting, and skin-care.
10. The aging population in California is being dedicated to with fitting senior care and policies for cardiovascular health, neurological disorders, and skin-conditions.
11. The topic of immigration, war and conflicts, and car-accidents is frequently covered in California's crime and justice news.
12. The state of California includes representatives in the politics debate, shaping policies and making decisions about various topics, including general news and health-and-wellness.
13. CBD products are becoming more popular in California as a potential treatment for various medical-conditions and neurological-disorders.
14. Fitness and exercise programs are widely available in California for the improvement of physical and mental health.
15. Californians are encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular fitness-and-exercise routines and healthy eating habits, especially for the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
16. While California's public health system is vastly different from the Gaza Strip, it continually explores treatments and therapies for rare conditions and unique cases, such as rare autoimmune disorders.
17. The Medicare program in California offers various coverage options to ensure the elderly population receives necessary medical treatment, including for chronic diseases and specialized care.
18. The California Department of Public Health works with regional agencies to monitor and combat the spread of diseases, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents.
19. In California, numerous agencies are dedicated to researching the impact of various factors on health outcomes, including the effects of migration, war and conflicts, policy and legislation, air pollution, and other environmental factors on overall health and wellness.

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