Israel has reportedly restricted entry of baby food and medical supplies into Gaza. In a report published on Wednesday, the Anadolu Agency said that Israeli authorities are once again using hunger as a weapon of war. They seized a can of baby food from an American doctor on his way to Gaza.
The allegations come at a time when aid agencies and medical professionals are reporting a rise in child deaths due to malnutrition in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
In late June, an American doctor was preparing to enter Gaza on a humanitarian aid mission. He was carrying powdered baby food, gauze and other medical supplies. But after reaching the Allenby Bridge border crossing, which is used to enter the occupied West Bank from Jordan, Israeli forces seized the baby food, according to a report in the French daily Le Monde.
“The baby food containers have been seized,” said Palestinian-German surgeon Diana Nazzal, who coordinated the humanitarian convoy. “If this is not evidence of the use of hunger as a weapon of war, what else is it? This is very clear in the ongoing massacre in Gaza.”
Local health workers say that special types of milk for babies, such as those for premature babies or those who cannot tolerate lactose, are still in serious danger in Gaza. Widespread malnutrition means that many mothers are unable to breastfeed.
The Israeli army claims to have delivered more than 1,000 metric tons of baby food since May 19, when the blockade was partially lifted. Doctors warn, however, that these supplies are still insufficient to meet demand.