The Gaza Government Media Office (GMO) announced on Saturday that at least 66 Palestinian children have died from malnutrition since the beginning of the Israeli-imposed blockade, blaming the escalating death toll on the ongoing siege, the closure of border crossings, and the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid.

In a strongly worded statement, the GMO accused the Israeli occupation of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity by weaponizing starvation against civilians, particularly children. It described the conditions in Gaza as a “calculated form of genocide” and condemned the international community's silence as complicit in the unfolding humanitarian disaster.

“This is not just a humanitarian disaster—it’s a calculated form of genocide,” the statement read. “Starving children to death is an unspeakable crime, and the silence of the international community is enabling it.”

The GMO directly held Israel and its allies—including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany—responsible for the deepening crisis, citing their continued political, military, and logistical support for the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

The statement urgently appealed to the United Nations, international human rights organizations, and Arab and Islamic countries to intervene and pressure Israel to reopen border crossings immediately to allow the entry of food, baby formula, and medical supplies. The call comes as famine conditions grip all areas of the Gaza Strip, disproportionately affecting infants, the elderly, and the sick.

Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has endured a relentless Israeli military offensive, supported by the United States. According to Palestinian health officials, more than 187,000 people have been killed or injured, over 11,000 remain missing, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. The siege has devastated infrastructure and plunged the enclave into a humanitarian catastrophe. (ILKHA)