Over 580 killed by Israel while waiting for aid in Gaza

A spokesman for Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital has told Al Jazeera Arabic that more than 580 Palestinians have died and over 4,000 have been wounded while waiting for aid in Gaza.

“Diseases are widespread in the Gaza Strip, especially among children,” the spokesman said, warning of soaring malnutrition levels across all governorates.

More than 400 cases of meningitis have been reported since the start of the year, with medical officials describing the situation as a full-blown health disaster.

“We live in very difficult conditions and are in shelters and displacement centres without any aid. The health system is on the verge of collapse due to the rising number of casualties from Israeli fire,” he added.

Officials say the newly introduced aid mechanism has deepened the crisis, with mounting pressure on hospitals unable to cope with the daily influx of wounded.