19,000 children in Gaza treated for acute malnutrition in one year, Palestinians killed while waiting for aid

(Patria) - Sources in al-Awda and Al-Aqsa hospitals report that nine Palestinians were killed and several injured while waiting for aid near the Netzarim intersection in the central Gaza Strip, Al Jazeera reports.

The killings occurred at aid distribution points established late last month by the controversial Humanitarian Fund for Gaza, supported by Israel and the United States, which the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNWRA) called a “death trap”.

The UN humanitarian agency (OCHA) states that a total of 18,741 children have been admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition in Gaza since the beginning of this year.

In the first two weeks of June alone, there were 1,648 new admissions, and 17 patients suffered from complications, it is stated.

This comes as Israel – which eased its blockade on Gaza in May after 78 days – continues to severely restrict the amount of food entering the war-torn Strip.

“The current quantity and pace of deliveries remain critically insufficient to meet the needs of the entire population of Gaza, which faces high levels of acute food insecurity,” OCHA said.

“Consistent, frequent, and large-scale deliveries through crossings are urgently needed to meet needs and stabilize the availability, prices, and affordability of wheat flour and other essential food items, as well as to reduce tensions and restore trust within communities. All UN-supported bakeries remain closed,” it added.