Israeli attacks in Gaza over the past 48 hours have killed at least 70 Palestinians and injured 275, while a baby girl died of malnutrition amid a worsening starvation crisis, the Gaza Health Ministry reported. Israel’s ongoing blockade, now in its third month, has blocked humanitarian aid, pushing thousands of children toward famine, according to the United Nations.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that seven bodies were recovered from rubble of prior Israeli strikes, adding to the toll. Al Jazeera noted the death of infant Janan Saleh al-Sakafi from malnutrition and dehydration at Rantisi Hospital. The Government Media Office confirmed 51 malnutrition-related deaths, with UNICEF reporting over 9,000 children treated for acute malnutrition in 2025.
Gaza death toll surges to 52,495 with 70 killed in the past 2 days
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— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) May 3, 2025Israel’s blockade, initiated on March 2, has halted food, water, and medical supplies, drawing global condemnation. The UN’s World Food Programme warned that depleted stocks threaten community kitchens, which are critical for thousands. A displaced Palestinian told Amnesty International, “We just want to fill our children’s stomachs.”
International Outcry and Legal Violations
Hamas official Abdel Rahman Shadid accused Israel of using starvation as a “deliberate weapon of war,” stating, “Children are dying from lack of milk, not just bombs.” Legal experts and human rights groups, citing the Fourth Geneva Convention, argue that Israel, as an occupying power, must provide aid to Gaza. The blockade, intended to pressure Hamas for captive releases, has yielded no progress since a brief ceasefire earlier this year.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reports severe food insecurity across Gaza. Amjad Shawa of the Palestinian NGOs Network told Al Jazeera that health facilities lack supplies to treat malnourished children, predicting more deaths soon. Dr. Ahmed Abu Nasir at Kamal Adwan Hospital highlighted the acute shortage of nutrients for children in northern Gaza.
Read: Israeli Strikes Kill 16 in Gaza, Civil Defence Reports Amid Ongoing Conflict
Israel’s attacks and blockade have deepened Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, claiming 70 lives in 48 hours and driving starvation, with children like Janan Saleh al-Sakafi among the victims. As the death toll has surpassed 52,400 since October 2023, international calls for action intensify to restore aid and uphold human rights in Gaza.
