More than 10 premature and newborn infants at Nasser Medical Complex are at imminent risk of death due to a critical shortage of infant formula, according to Dr. Ahmed Al-Farra, head of pediatrics and maternity at the hospital.
Al-Farra warned that the situation is becoming increasingly dire as the Israeli occupation army continues to block the entry of all milk products essential for infants in incubators.
Speaking to Al Manassa, Al-Farra said that for several months, the Israeli occupation has barred the entry of formula for premature and newborn babies due to the continued closure of crossings. These crossings now allow only a limited range of medical supplies—excluding the vitamin-fortified milk required to keep the infants alive.
He urged international organizations, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization to act urgently to ensure the entry of specialized formula for infants within the coming hours.
Al-Farra’s warning followed an urgent appeal by the Gaza Ministry of Health for the entry of infant formula, nutritional supplements, and vitamins for premature and newborn babies. The ministry warned of an impending humanitarian disaster that could result in the deaths of many infants currently in incubators at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis and Al-Helou International Hospital in northern Gaza.
In a separate statement Wednesday night, the Health Ministry said Israeli occupation forces were preventing UN and international aid organizations from accessing fuel storage sites by designating them as “red zones,” or active combat areas.
The ministry confirmed that hospital fuel reserves are projected to run out within three days. Without immediate access to stored fuel, medical facilities will be forced to shut down critical services, putting patients’ lives at risk and threatening a broader collapse of the health system.
Against this backdrop of a deteriorating humanitarian situation and a struggling health infrastructure, the desperate search for basic necessities is proving deadly. More than 50 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours across Gaza, according to a Health Ministry source who spoke to Al Manassa on condition of anonymity.
Among the dead were 15 people shot by Israeli occupation forces while attempting to collect food aid at the Netzarim corridor.
A medical source at Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat camp confirmed to Al Manassa that the hospital received 15 bodies and more than 50 injured individuals early Thursday, following the incident. The victims had gathered at a food distribution point when Israeli occupation forces opened fire.
A journalist on the scene, also speaking anonymously, said the acute shortage of basic food items and the collapse of purchasing power have forced civilians to risk their lives daily at US-backed aid drop points. There, they are frequently met with heavy gunfire and artillery shelling by Israeli occupation forces, resulting in daily casualties.
Some civilians remain unaccounted for after being struck in areas too dangerous for rescue teams to access, the source added.
Three civilians told Al Manassa they lost relatives in Thursday's early morning shooting but were unable to retrieve their bodies due to ongoing Israeli fire.
Over recent weeks, Israeli strikes on aid distribution sites in Rafah and central Gaza have killed and injured hundreds.
The US-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) resumed aid deliveries in late May following a three-month Israeli blockade that aimed to starve the population. However, chaotic scenes and repeated attacks have turned aid distribution into a deadly gamble.
Israel resumed its war on Gaza on March 18 after walking away from a ceasefire agreement that had taken effect on Jan. 19. That deal aimed to end hostilities, secure the release of all captives held by Hamas, and initiate a full Israeli withdrawal from the enclave—conditions that Israel failed to implement.
