According to Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra, the children passed away in Al-Shifa Hospital, bringing the total number of child deaths from malnutrition in Gaza to 23 since October 7.

Most of these tragic deaths occurred in hospitals in the north of Gaza, an area severely affected by Israel's blockade, despite international warnings of an impending famine.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) previously sounded the alarm on February 19, highlighting a significant increase in malnutrition cases among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers in Gaza. The ongoing attacks by israeli forces have compounded the health risks faced by the enclave's residents.

Since the cross-border operation by Hamas on October 7, Israel has retaliated with a military offensive that has resulted in over 30,800 casualties and nearly 73,000 injuries, alongside widespread destruction and critical shortages of essential supplies.

The blockade imposed by Israel has further exacerbated the crisis, particularly affecting the population in northern Gaza, leaving many on the brink of starvation.

The situation has led to the displacement of about 85% of Gazans, with acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine. Additionally, 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

The International Court of Justice has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, issuing an interim ruling in January that called for an end to genocidal acts and urged measures to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in the territory. (ILKHA)