“Even a Box of Baby Formula Could Save Us”: Gaza Father Mourns 40-Day-Old Son Lost to Starvation

Kokcha News Agency: Gaza, under Israel’s relentless blockade and bombardment, is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. In the past 24 hours, 15 more people, including four children, have died from starvation, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Since October 7, 2023, the death toll from hunger has risen to 101, including 80 children.

One of the victims was 40-day-old Yusuf Muhammad al-Safadi, who succumbed to malnutrition due to the lack of baby formula and essential food supplies. His father, Ethem al-Safadi, spoke to Anadolu Agency, holding his lifeless son in his arms.

“The baby was only 40 days old. There’s no baby formula, mothers’ milk has dried up, there’s no bread, no food,” al-Safadi said. He blamed the dire situation on Israel’s blockade and the closure of border crossings, which have cut off essential supplies.

“We are starving; we can’t find formula for our children or food for our women. We’ve reached a point where we can’t meet any of our basic needs,” he added.

Al-Safadi criticized the international community for its inaction, stating, “The whole world is against the Gaza Strip.” He recounted how desperate pleas for help went unanswered: “We called on Arab countries for aid, but no one could help us. No one can do anything for us.”

“We asked for baby formula, but our child died because there wasn’t even a single box. Every baby, every child is at risk of death,” he said.

The grieving father warned that the situation is dire for everyone, not just children: “Even if you leave us adults aside, if the whole world can’t send a single box of baby formula to Gaza, we will all die. Because we adults can’t bring food here either.”

A Desperate Cry for Help:
Al-Safadi described the widespread famine in Gaza, saying, “We are in a general famine. There’s no option but to bring formula for the babies.” He recounted the tragic reality of people risking their lives to find food: “Young people and adults go to aid distribution centers to find food, but they lose their lives. They walk there and return in shrouds.”

He revealed that hospitals are overwhelmed, receiving 100 to 150 bodies daily due to starvation. “Enough of this oppression, this suffering,” he pleaded.

Daily Deaths from Starvation:
“Every day, a child dies, and others are at risk of death. There’s no food, no water,” al-Safadi said. Despite the unbearable pain, he expressed his unwavering faith, saying, “Allah is sufficient for us; He is the best protector.”

The Broader Crisis in Gaza:
Gaza, with a population of approximately 2.3 million, is experiencing a humanitarian disaster. Nearly 2 million people have been displaced due to Israeli attacks and evacuation orders, with many forced to flee multiple times. Displaced Palestinians are living in makeshift tents or overcrowded schools, lacking basic hygiene supplies and facing the spread of infectious diseases.

Israel’s daily bombardments continue to target civilian areas, including the tents and shelters of displaced families. Since October 7, 2023, at least 59,029 Palestinians have been killed, and 142,135 have been injured in Israeli attacks.

Local and international organizations have accused Israel of using “hunger and thirst as weapons,” with the blockade severely restricting access to food, water, medicine, and hygiene supplies.