An estimated 55,500 malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding women require an urgent nutrition response in Gaza. Overcrowded clinics in Nuseirat refugee camp are treating severely underweight infants and malnourished mothers who lack breastmilk and formula. Israel halted UN and humanitarian agency distributions after breaking a ceasefire in March and instead authorized a limited set of army-controlled aid sites operated by US-backed GHF. Aid seekers at those sites have faced live fire, resulting in more than 2,200 Palestinians killed and over 16,225 injured since GHF operations began in late May. UN agencies have condemned the restricted system and called for resumed UN-led distributions. The IPC has confirmed that famine is occurring.
In an overcrowded clinic in central Gaza's Nuseirat refugee camp, Samar Abu Ajwah clutched her frail newborn as he burst into weak sobs. Eyad has been diagnosed as malnourished, weighing only 1.9kg (4.2lb). He needs milk, and we are appealing for help from people who can afford it because we cannot, Abu Ajwah, who also suffers from malnutrition caused by Israel's punishing blockade of humanitarian aid, told Al Jazeera.
Ameera Tafesh brought Ru'a, her emaciated six-month-old, to the clinic hoping to find nourishment. I breastfed her when she was born, but it lasted only a week because I couldn't produce enough milk, she told Al Jazeera. I need to feed her formula, but it's not available. Al Jazeera's Hind Khoudary, reporting from Nuseirat, said mothers are desperate to find food to feed their children and themselves amid Israeli-induced starvation in the enclave.
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