She was left to face hunger without milk under Israel’s choking lockdown.
Sources say Zeinab Abu Halib died several months ago from malnutrition caused by Israeli hunger policy, the Anadolu Agency (AA).
Zeinab appears in a disturbing photo taken shortly before her death, with her skin clinging to the bone, her tiny ribs sticking out so painfully.
Behind her was an early image showing her smile in bright clothes, captioned “Zainab the Queen.”
Such deaths have been repeated in Gaza, particularly for young children, due to the siege of Israel and the prevention of humanitarian, food and medical aid, leading to widespread hunger and serious shortages.
Munir al-Barsh, the commander of Gaza’s health ministry, told Anadolu on Friday that nine Palestinians, including two children, died within 24 hours of hunger and malnutrition. Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, it has resulted in malnutrition deaths to 122 people, including 83 children.
The Ministry of Health reported 26,677 registered cases of malnutrition on Thursday, saying more than 260,000 children under the age of five are in urgent need for food.
United Nations agencies and local organizations have warned that continuing lockdowns and obstruction of aid could lead to massive child deaths amid a deterioration in health and living conditions and a complete collapse of the healthcare system.
Last Sunday, the Gaza government’s media office warned that the territory was on the brink of “massive death” after crossing the closed border for more than 140 days.
MA/PR