Desperate search for milk in Gaza: A mother's struggle amid genocide
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Amira is currently treating her son at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza, where many other children are receiving treatment due to malnourishment.
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Palestinian women and their children walk through destruction in the wake of an Israeli air and ground attack in Jebaliya, northern Gaza Strip after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, Friday, May 31, 2024 (AP Photo/Enas Rami)
AFP published a poignant interview with a mother in Gaza, Amira al-Taweel, who has been struggling to find milk to feed her malnourished child, Youssef.
"Youssef needs treatment and milk, but there's none available in Gaza," Amira said. "I feed him, but no milk as it's not available. I feed him wheat (flour) which makes him bloated."
Amira is currently treating her son at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza, where many other children are receiving treatment due to malnourishment.
Another baby boy named Saif was also found by AFP with bones protruding from his skin.
"We depend on the aid that comes here and is given to the children," said Noha al-Khaldi, the mother of Saif.
"All night long he suffers ... He was supposed to have an operation, but it was postponed."
Read more: UNRWA says severe malnutrition spreading to southern Gaza
The genocide has so far claimed the lives of thousands of people, and the numbers are further mounting due to the Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than four in five children in Gaza have gone a whole day without eating at least once in the past 72 hours.
"Children are starving," WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said in a statement.
Aid agencies indicate that the malnutrition crisis is due to humanitarian aid not reaching its intended recipients.
Read more: Four, including 2 children, die of malnutrition, dehydration in Gaza
Doctors at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital are demanding more aid, particularly milk, to treat malnourished children.
"The occupation has prevented the entry of food, particularly milk, for children, which has led to serious weakness in the body, very poor growth, and infection by numerous diseases," Dr Mostafa told AFP as he studied a patient's X-ray in his office.
The closure of the Rafah crossing, the main route for aid from Egypt into Gaza, has worsened the situation since it came under the control of Israeli forces on May 7.
This closure has prevented the entry of food and medical supplies, worsening the malnutrition crisis among children.
