A Gaza woman, identified as Marah Abu Zuhri, has tragically died in an Italian hospital due to severe malnutrition shortly after being evacuated for medical treatment. The 20-year-old was flown to Pisa under an Italian government initiative designed to aid suffering civilians amidst the escalating conflict in Gaza. Marah arrived with her mother on Wednesday but suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away less than 48 hours later, highlighting the alarming levels of malnutrition reported by the United Nations.
Since the start of Israel's ongoing conflict with Gaza, over 180 Gazan children and adults have been transported to Italy for urgent care. This week alone, 31 patients and their companions reached various Italian cities, including Rome, Milan, and Pisa, all facing serious health conditions related to the conflict, such as congenital diseases, injuries, or amputations.
In tandem with these efforts, British lawmakers have pressed the government to expedite the transport of ill and injured children from Gaza to the UK, following a similar commitment made by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The Home Office has indicated plans to evacuate several hundred children swiftly, though it also requires biometric evaluations before any admissions to the UK.
As the crisis unfolds, the Israeli government announced plans to supply residents of Gaza City with tents and equipment ahead of their relocation to designated "safe zones." This development follows dramatic hostility, with troops recently announced to occupy Gaza City. Reports indicate severe civilian displacement in the Zeitoun neighborhood, where a week of intense bombing and ground operations has resulted in chaotic conditions.
Tragically, the toll of the conflict continues to rise, with Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reporting that at least 36 individuals died in Israeli strikes on Saturday alone. Furthermore, 11 additional malnutrition-related fatalities have been recorded, aggregating hunger-related deaths to over 250. Despite these reports, the Israeli military has contested the figures from Hamas-affiliated sources and reiterated its focus on targeting terrorists while claiming a commitment to minimizing civilian casualties.
The grim consequences of the ongoing war have reportedly resulted in over 60,000 fatalities since its commencement, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian responses and international aid in the region.
