Deaths from starvation, malnutrition forced by Israel in Gaza rise to 239 amid regional efforts to reach ceasefire

CAIRO – 14 August 2025: The death toll of Palestinians due to the systematic starvation forced by Israel on the unarmed nation inside the besieged Gaza Strip rose to 239, including 106 children, after the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip recorded four new deaths in the past 24 hours.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza added in a statement on Thursday that 40,000 infants, under one year old, suffer from malnutrition, and their lives are at risk. Also, 250,000 children, under five years old, suffer from malnutrition, which directly threatens their lives.

Meanwhile, 1.2 million children, who are under the age of 18, are experiencing severe food insecurity, the ministry added.

Additionally, a total of 54 martyrs, including four recovered, and 831 injuries arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals over the past 24 hours, bringing the death and injury tolls to 61,776 martyrs and 154,906 injuries since October 7, 2023.

Several victims remain under the rubble and on the streets, as ambulance and civil defense crews are unable to reach them.

Since March 18, 2025, when Israel resumed its genocidal war after the two-month truce, the number of people killed rose to 10,251 martyrs, while the number of injured people recorded 42,865 injuries.

As for the starving people whom were killed at the aid distribution centers in the strip, their number went up to 1,881 martyrs since May 27, 2025, after the hospitals received 22 killed people over the past 24 hours. 

Meanwhile, 269 injured people were admitted to the hospitals over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of the injured to more than 13,863 people.

Egypt has intensified efforts and sent several humanitarian aid trucks, which entered the Gaza Strip through the sub-gate of the Rafah land port, destined for the Kerem Abu Salem crossing in the southeast of the Strip. There, the aid is subjected to inspection by Israeli forces before being allowed into Gaza.

Furthermore, Egypt is hosting a delegation from Hamas in an effort to revive stalled ceasefire negotiations. Talks collapsed last month after the United States and Israel withdrew, despite reports suggesting a truce was closer than ever.

The delegation, led by Khalil Al-Hayya, head of Hamas’ political bureau, is expected to meet with Egyptian officials on Wednesday to discuss efforts to end the war and ensure aid delivery, according to Hamas spokesperson Taher Al-Nunu.

Egyptian and Qatari mediators are reportedly finalizing a new framework that would involve the release of all captives still held in Gaza in exchange for a full ceasefire, according to the Associated Press, citing two Arab officials last week.

Egyptian sources told Al Qahera News that the meetings continued on Thursday in Cairo between Hamas delegation and Egyptian officials.

It added that Egypt is contacting various parties to overcome points of contention and reach a ceasefire agreement, noting that the Hamas delegation in Cairo appreciates Egyptian efforts to bring aid into the Gaza Strip and achieve a ceasefire.

Additional reporting by Amr Mohamed Kandil