The highest casualties occurred in northern Gaza, where at least 67 Palestinians died while trying to obtain aid through the Zikim crossing with Israel, as reported by the Health Ministry and local hospitals.

Reports of people dying of hunger

Ambulances stationed at three major hospitals in Gaza sounded their sirens simultaneously on Sunday morning in an urgent call to action as the food crisis intensifies. The Health Ministry shared images on social media of doctors holding signs highlighting malnourished children and the shortage of medical supplies.

A spokesperson for the ministry, Zaher al-Wahidi, reported that at least nine children under the age of five have succumbed to malnutrition following Israel’s blockade on aid entry imposed in March, which was partially relaxed in May.

He said tracking malnutrition deaths is difficult because some people might be suffering from other medical conditions that could be compounded with severe hunger.

In northern Gaza, Shifa Hospital director Abu Selmiyah said the hospital recorded 79 people who died of malnutrition in the past month.