Gaza: Over 50 children died of hunger under Israel’s blockade

If nothing changes, about 71,000 children under the age of five will suffer from acute malnutrition over the next 11 months. Read further on Dynamite News

Gaza City:  About 500,000 people in the Gaza Strip are suffering catastrophically from hunger, and 57 children have died from malnutrition since the Israeli blockade of the enclave began on March 2, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

"Since the aid blockade began on 2 March 2025, 57 children have reportedly died from the effects of malnutrition, according to the Ministry of Health. This number is likely an underestimate and is likely to increase," WHO said in a statement on Monday.

According to the World Health Organization's forecast, if nothing changes, about 71,000 children under the age of five will suffer from acute malnutrition over the next 11 months.

"The entire 2.1 million population of Gaza is facing prolonged food shortages, with nearly half a million people in a catastrophic situation of hunger, acute malnutrition, starvation, illness and death. This is one of the world’s worst hunger crises, unfolding in real time," the statement added.

On March 18, Israel resumed strikes on the Gaza Strip, citing Palestinian movement Hamas' refusal to accept the US plan to extend the ceasefire, which expired on March 1. In early March, Israel cut off the electricity supply to a desalination plant in the Gaza Strip and closed off entry to trucks carrying humanitarian aid.

Hamas To Free Israeli-American Hostage

Hamas said on Sunday it will release Israeli-U.S. hostage Edan Alexander from the Gaza Strip as part of efforts to secure a ceasefire and reopen border crossings for aid delivery, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official and head of the group's negotiating team, said in a statement that Hamas had been in contact with the U.S. administration in recent days and had shown "great positivity" toward mediation efforts.

"As part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire, open crossings, and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, the movement will release Edan Alexander," al-Hayya said.

He added that Hamas is prepared to begin intensive negotiations immediately and engage seriously in talks aimed at ending the war, reaching a prisoner exchange deal, and establishing an independent, professional body to govern the Gaza Strip.

Suhail al-Hindi, a senior official of Hamas, told Xinhua that the release would be within 48 hours.

Alexander, 18, is believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza.