A woman from Gaza, identified as 20-year-old Marah Abu Zuhri, has died in a hospital in Pisa, Italy, less than 48 hours after her emergency evacuation for treatment. Marah and her mother were airlifted to Italy under a government scheme aimed at supporting severely ill individuals amid the ongoing conflict and humanitarian disaster in the region. The University Hospital of Pisa reported that Marah suffered from severe emaciation and ultimately experienced cardiac arrest.
Since the escalation of hostilities in Gaza, over 180 children and adults have been transported to Italy for medical care as part of Italy's initiative to assist those affected. This week alone saw the arrival of 31 patients, many grappling with serious congenital conditions or injuries resulting from the conflict.
In parallel, concerns about malnutrition in Gaza have escalated, with warnings from the United Nations forecasting a potential famine in the area. Despite this, Israeli officials have refuted claims of starvation, attributing the humanitarian challenges to Hamas’s actions and asserting that aid is not being properly transported into Gaza.
In the UK, lawmakers are pressing the government to expedite the evacuation of ill children from Gaza, following a commitment from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to initiate a rescue operation. The Home Office has indicated plans to facilitate the swift relocation of hundreds of vulnerable children while emphasizing the need for biometric verification before entry.
As combat intensifies, Israel’s military said that plans are being implemented to install temporary shelters for Gaza City residents amid ongoing airstrikes. Reports indicate that heavy bombardments are taking a toll on local populations, particularly in zones like Zeitoun, leading to mass displacement and casualties, including deaths related to malnutrition. According to the health ministry in Gaza, the death toll from both direct Israeli strikes and hunger has surpassed significant thresholds.
With the situation increasingly dire, human rights organizations and health agencies are urging immediate and sustained international humanitarian assistance to avert further loss of life in Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict.
