Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, has revealed an unprecedented and catastrophic health crisis, with 82% of children under the age of one now suffering from anemia—a direct consequence of the Israeli blockade and ongoing aggression.

This deeply alarming figure, described as an "imminent threat" to children's survival and development, reflects a deliberate policy of "health-based extermination" engineered by the Israeli occupation, Dr. Al-Bursh stated. He accused Israeli authorities of a systematic campaign not only of genocide but of working to “erase Palestinian lineage” by creating conditions that prevent the survival of a healthy new generation.

“Israel seeks a generation born from a deformed womb to live a deformed life,” Dr. Al-Bursh warned, highlighting the long-term strategic impact of the current deprivation.

The spike in anemia, a condition largely preventable with adequate nutrition and healthcare, is fueled by Israel's continued blockade on essential medications and vital nutrients. This deprivation, health officials say, is already producing severe consequences, with 156 cases of birth defects recorded since the war began—a number expected to rise as the health crisis deepens.

Further illustrating the scale of the catastrophe, Dr. Al-Bursh reported a staggering 40% drop in birth rates compared to pre-war levels. This statistic underscores the catastrophic living conditions, the immense risks faced by pregnant mothers, and the near-total collapse of a healthcare system that can no longer provide basic prenatal or postnatal care.

These dire health warnings emerge as Israel's war on Gaza, backed by U.S. and European powers, continues unabated. Now in its second year, the assault has resulted in over 239,000 casualties, mostly women and children, according to official Palestinian data, and has left more than 11,000 missing persons buried under the rubble.

The territory is also gripped by a man-made famine that has already claimed the lives of numerous children, a direct result of what critics call Israel's use of starvation as a weapon of war.

Health officials on the ground stress that the anemia crisis is just one facet of a comprehensive healthcare collapse. They are urging immediate international intervention to break the blockade and allow life-saving aid to enter, warning that the world is witnessing the methodical destruction of a people's health and future.

Without urgent action, they caution, the impact will be permanent, leaving a lasting scar on an entire generation and fulfilling the darkest warnings of a health-based extermination. (ILKHA)