Israel assures that there is no “generalized malnutrition” in Gaza while the UN alerts on a risk of famine
An organization dependent on the Israeli Ministry of Defense published a new report on Tuesday claiming that it “There is no sign of generalized malnutrition phenomenon” in the Gaza Strip, where the United Nations has been warning for weeks against a risk of “Generalized famine”.
COGAT, in charge of the civil administration of the Palestinian territories, said in this report having carried out a “In -depth exam” Hamas data and figures on deaths due to malnutrition in Palestinian territory.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza, administered by Hamas, estimates to date the total number of hunger victims at 227 dead, including 103 children. The cogat is “A significant difference” Between these figures and “The documented cases, with complete identification details” in the media and on social networks“Which raises doubts about their credibility”.
“The analysis on a case -by -case basis of published deaths shows that most (…) suffered from pre -existing medical conditions which led to the deterioration of their state of health, unrelated to their nutritional status ”also affirms the cogat, for whom these “Extreme cases (…) do not represent the condition of the general population of the Gaza Strip ”.
COGAT supports in conclusion that there is “No sign of a generalized malnutrition phenomenon” Among the Gazaouis, denouncing “The cynical exploitation of tragic images” by Hamas.
In a statement on Tuesday, the government of Hamas published a long “Refutation of lies” du compel “Desperate and vain attempt to camouflage a documented crime at the international level, systematic famine” of the population gazaouie.
Palestinian territory, totally dependent on humanitarian aid, is threatened with a “Generalized famine”according to the UN, which called for“Flood” help. According to the latest figures made public on Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO), 148 people have died of the effects of malnutrition since January, and nearly 12,000 children under the age of five have been identified as acute malnutrition in July – the highest monthly figure recorded to date.
The World Food Program (PAM) estimates that “More than a third of the population does not eat for several days in a row” and point a “Acutely increased acute malnutrition”with “More than 300,000 children in severe risk”.
For Jean-Guy Vataux, head of mission of doctors without borders in the Palestinian territories, interviewed Tuesday by the France-Presse agency (AFP), “Malnutrition in Gaza is a reality, it progresses quickly and affects the whole population”intended class included.
