Daijiworld Media Network – Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Jun 29: At least 66 children have died of malnutrition in Gaza amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, authorities in the Palestinian enclave said Saturday, blaming Israel’s tightened blockade for cutting off milk, food, and nutritional aid.

The announcement came as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 60 more Palestinians, including 20 in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighbourhood. Nine children were among the dead.

Gaza’s Government Media Office called the blockade a ‘war crime’ and accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon. It also held the US, UK, France, and Germany complicit and urged the UN to open crossings for aid.

UNICEF reported a 150% rise in child malnutrition cases since February, with over 5,100 children admitted in May alone. “Every one of these cases is preventable,” it said.

Meanwhile, controversy surrounds the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the only active aid distributor in Gaza. Over 550 Palestinians have reportedly been killed near its distribution sites since May 19. UN chief António Guterres called the GHF's model “inherently unsafe.”

Haaretz reported Israeli troops were ordered to shoot unarmed civilians at GHF sites—claims denied by the military. Survivors fear approaching aid centres due to attacks, but with food scarce, many say they have no choice.