Israel Restricts Baby Formula Entry as Infant Starvation Crisis Deepens in Gaza
An American doctor en route to Gaza on a humanitarian medical mission witnessed Israeli forces confiscate cans of powdered baby formula from his luggage—formula that is critically needed in the besieged enclave. Since March, approximately 50 Palestinian children have died from hunger-related causes, amid severe shortages of essential supplies.
On June 25, a Palestinian mother was photographed feeding one of her 2-month-old twins in Gaza, where baby formula has become increasingly scarce.
The American physician had packed his suitcases with baby formula, medical gauze, bandages, and sanitary products, intending to support a population devastated by months of bombardment and blockade. However, upon reaching Amman, Jordan a required staging point for foreign medical teams—mission coordinator Dr. Diana Nazzal, a Palestinian-German ophthalmic surgeon, warned him of potential issues. “If you’re carrying only aid and no personal belongings, Israeli authorities may block your entry or worse, halt the entire mission,” she cautioned.
He complied, reducing the baby formula to just three cans. But upon arrival at the Allenby Bridge crossing between Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Israeli security officials searched his belongings and confiscated the remaining formula.
“The formula was seized,” Dr. Nazzal confirmed. “How else can this be explained, except as the use of hunger as a weapon of war in the genocide unfolding in Gaza?”
Local health professionals say the shortage of baby formula especially for premature infants and babies with special dietary needs like lactose intolerance is reaching catastrophic levels. Many mothers are too malnourished to breastfeed, further compounding the crisis.
He complied, reducing the baby formula to just three cans. But upon arrival at the Allenby Bridge crossing between Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Israeli security officials searched his belongings and confiscated the remaining formula.
“The formula was seized,” Dr. Nazzal confirmed. “How else can this be explained, except as the use of hunger as a weapon of war in the genocide unfolding in Gaza?”
Local health professionals say the shortage of baby formula especially for premature infants and babies with special dietary needs like lactose intolerance is reaching catastrophic levels. Many mothers are too malnourished to breastfeed, further compounding the crisis.