Health authorities in Gaza revealed that at least 33 children have died from malnutrition, most of whom were displaced in northern areas, which have been subject to relentless Israeli bombardment since October 7. 

A group of independent human rights experts, commissioned by the United Nations, said on Tuesday that the increased number of deaths from malnutrition among children is a sign of hunger spreading across the Gaza Strip. 

The UN-commissioned group, which includes 11 experts, revealed that three children, ages 13 years, 9 years, and 6 months, have died of malnutrition in Khan Younis, in southernmost Gaza, and Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, since May. 

"With the passing of these children from hunger, despite medical treatment in central Gaza, " the report said, "there is no doubt that famine has spread from northern Gaza to central Gaza and its southern areas." 

The statement, signed by the experts, including the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Michael Fakhri, denounced the deliberate starvation campaign the occupation was imposing on the people of Palestine. 

“We declare that Israel’s intentional and targeted starvation campaign against the Palestinian people is a form of genocidal violence and has resulted in famine across all of Gaza. We call upon the international community to prioritize the delivery of humanitarian aid," the statement read. 

The recent deaths of more #Palestinian children due to hunger & malnutrition leaves no doubt that famine has spread across the entire #Gaza strip - UN experts warn.https://t.co/jHEKQ4J3MH pic.twitter.com/cQzt8b1E9j

— UN Special Procedures (@UN_SPExperts) July 9, 2024

Over 50,000 children in Gaza suffer from acute malnutrition

In June, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that more than 50,000 children in Gaza are experiencing severe malnutrition due to ongoing restrictions on humanitarian aid.

In a post on X, the agency stated that people are facing "desperate levels of hunger" as a result of restricted access to aid. It further reaffirmed its commitment to continue the delivery of humanitarian aid but described the current situation as catastrophic, stressing the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire.

With continued restrictions to humanitarian access, people in #Gaza continue to face desperate levels of hunger. Over 50,000 children require treatment for acute malnutrition@UNRWA teams work tirelessly to reach families with aid but the situation is catastrophic. #CeasefireNow pic.twitter.com/FwmsjrqmRW

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) June 15, 2024

In a separate post, the agency also mentioned the devastating condition of Gaza's hospitals, noting critical shortages of medical supplies and fuel that are exacerbating the health crisis.

Hospitals in ruin, restrictions on humanitarian access and scarce medical supplies and fuel across #Gaza are pushing the health situation beyond crisis level.@UNRWA health staff continues to support families but less than 1/3 of our health centres are operational.#CeasefireNow pic.twitter.com/62vzL1dxEF

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) June 15, 2024

Read more: 10-year-old boy dies of malnutrition, starvation in Gaza