Palestinian with diabetes die of malnutrition as hunger crisis deepens

A 43-year-old Palestinian man with diabetes died of severe malnutrition in central Gaza on Tuesday as Israel's blockade continues to choke life out of the besieged strip. 

Medical staff at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah confirmed that Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hasanat died from complications caused by untreated diabetes and prolonged undernourishment.

His death points to the worsening humanitarian conditions as there is acute shortage of food, medicine, and essential medical care in the besieged territory.

According to Palestinian authorities and human rights groups, deaths linked to starvation are increasing, especially among high-risk groups including children, elderly people, and patients with chronic diseases.

On Monday night, a 32-year-old woman died at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis. Health workers said her weight had plummeted from 50kg to just 25kg in recent months showing  extreme lack of access to adequate nutrition.

Read More: UN declares Gaza the “hungriest place on Earth” as Israel continues to block aid

The Gaza Health Ministry said on Sunday that at least 86 people, including 76 children, have died of malnutrition since October 2023.

The situation has worsened since March 2, when Israeli forces sealed all border crossings, halting the flow of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid into Gaza. As a result, famine-like conditions have spread rapidly across the enclave.

Children and people with chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable, with severe symptoms of malnutrition now common in displaced communities.

Since the war began in October 2023, Israeli military assault has killed over 59,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.