Over 9,000 women killed, 60,000 pregnant in Gaza malnourished — ministry
The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza reports alarming conditions on the International Women’s Day, calling for urgent intervention to address the humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.
The Palestinian Health Ministry revealed that approximately 60,000 pregnant women in Gaza are currently grappling with malnutrition and dehydration, a dire consequence of Israel’s ongoing conflict with the enclave. This statement was issued on Thursday, on the eve of International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8th.
The ministry underscored the additional challenge of inadequate healthcare services faced by these women, a significant concern given that women comprise 49 percent of Gaza’s population, with a majority falling within childbearing age. Amid the relentless shelling and displacement, an estimated 5,000 women give birth each month under harsh, unsafe, and unhealthy conditions.
Highlighting the deteriorating situation, the UN children’s fund (UNICEF) recently cautioned against a sharp rise in malnutrition among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers in Gaza, emphasizing the severe threat to their well-being amidst the ongoing conflict.
As a result of the war and Israeli-imposed restrictions, Palestinians in Gaza and other regions, particularly in the north, face an imminent famine. Severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel exacerbate a health crisis characterized by epidemics and a strained medical infrastructure.
The Palestinian Health Ministry further lamented the staggering toll on women’s lives, reporting nearly 9,000 Palestinian women killed by the Israeli military during its devastating onslaught on Gaza. Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al Qudra condemned the international community’s silence, attributing it to the perpetuation of genocide against Palestinian women.
Al Qudra called upon the United Nations to urgently intervene to halt Israeli aggression and prevent further loss of life. Additionally, he urged international women’s organizations to mobilize efforts to end the Israeli onslaught on Gaza and advocated for comprehensive support for Palestinian women’s living, health, psychological, and social needs, particularly in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict has exacted a heavy toll on Palestinians, with over 30,700 killed and 72,000 injured since October 7th. Israel’s blockade on Gaza has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leaving 85 percent of the population internally displaced and pushing them to the brink of starvation. The conflict has also caused extensive damage to Gaza’s infrastructure, with 60 percent either damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.
Facing accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Israel received an interim ruling in January mandating an immediate cessation of genocidal acts and the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.