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Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency As Medicine Shortage Worsens

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GABORONE, Botswana (BN24) — Botswana has declared a public health emergency following a nationwide collapse of its medical supply chain, with President Duma Boko citing depleted government finances and steep cuts in foreign aid as the cause of the crisis.

In a televised address Monday, Boko said the country’s central medical stores had failed, resulting in a “severe disruption to health supplies” across the nation. His announcement followed warnings earlier this month from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which described the system as “severely strained,” with more than $75 million owed to private hospitals, clinics, and suppliers.

The country is currently facing widespread shortages of essential medications for chronic and life-threatening conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis, cancer, asthma, and mental health disorders. Supplies for sexual health services have also dwindled, and elective surgeries have been postponed due to shortages of basic medical materials such as dressings and sutures.

“The current prices for medicine are often inflated five to 10 times,” Boko said. “Under the current economic conditions, this scenario is not sustainable.”

In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Finance has approved 250 million pula (approximately $18.7 million) in emergency funding. Boko said the Botswana Defence Force will oversee the distribution of emergency medical supplies, with shipments beginning immediately from the capital, Gaborone, and priority given to underserved rural areas.

Botswana, a country of 2.5 million people, is one of the world’s top diamond producers. However, a sustained downturn in the global diamond market — the backbone of the nation’s economy — has forced the government to suspend certain ministerial purchases and slash public spending.

The crisis has been further compounded by sharp reductions in international aid, particularly from the United States. Under former President Donald Trump, the U.S. government reduced support for foreign health initiatives, which had previously covered a significant portion of Botswana’s HIV response and other critical public health programs.

UNAIDS has reported that U.S. aid once accounted for a third of Botswana’s HIV funding, while The Global Fund contributed $12 million toward malaria and tuberculosis treatment. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that urgent action is needed to address the deteriorating health situation, particularly for children. One in five children is underweight in some districts, including in the western region bordering Namibia, according to the agency.

The health emergency places pressure on President Boko’s administration to stabilize the country’s fragile healthcare system amid broader economic challenges linked to global commodity markets and reduced donor assistance.

Credit: Al Jazeera

Photojournalist Valerie Zink Resigns From Reuters, Criticizes Coverage Of Gaza

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Toronto (BN24) — Valerie Zink, a Canadian photojournalist who worked as a Reuters stringer for eight years, has resigned from the news agency, publicly condemning its coverage of the Gaza conflict as a betrayal of journalists.

In a Facebook post Tuesday, Zink shared images of her destroyed Reuters press ID and accused the agency of “justifying and enabling the systematic assassination of 245 journalists in Gaza.” She said she could no longer maintain a relationship with Reuters given its role in the killing of reporters in the Palestinian enclave.

Zink’s photos have appeared in major outlets including The New York Times and Al Jazeera. However, she sharply criticized Reuters for amplifying Israel’s claim that Palestinian journalist Anas Al-Sharif was a Hamas operative, calling it “entirely baseless” and part of “countless lies” Reuters has repeated.

“I have valued the work that I brought to Reuters over the past eight years,” Zink wrote. “But at this point, I can’t conceive of wearing this press pass with anything but deep shame and grief.”

She accused Reuters and other Western media outlets of perpetuating Israeli propaganda that dehumanizes victims and sanitizes alleged war crimes, citing investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill’s criticism that major news organizations have served as “a conveyor belt for Israeli propaganda.”

Zink condemned what she described as a “double tap” airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Gaza on Monday that killed six journalists, including Reuters cameraman Hossam Al-Masri. The tactic involves striking a civilian target, then bombing again as rescuers and journalists arrive.

She said Western media’s failure to verify Israel’s claims and their repeated dissemination of what she called “genocidal fabrications” have contributed to the deaths of more journalists in Gaza over the past two years than in many other global conflicts combined.

Zink praised Palestinian journalists for their courage and vowed to dedicate future work to honouring their sacrifices.

“I owe my colleagues in Palestine at least this much, and so much more,” she said.

Reuters did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

NAIMOS, Blue Water Guards Seize 50 Chanfang Machines in Major Operation On Ankobra River In Ghana

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Western Region, Ghana (BN24) – In a significant crackdown on illegal mining, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), in collaboration with the Nzema East Blue Water Guards, successfully seized 50 chanfang machines and other mining equipment along the Ankobra River in the Western Region, Ghana. The operation, carried out on Friday, August 22, 2025, focused on illegal mining activities in the Abelebo and Akango communities within the Nzema East Municipality.

This coordinated raid follows growing concerns over the devastating environmental damage caused by illegal mining in the region. Local reports indicated severe degradation of the Ankobra River and surrounding ecosystems, prompting authorities to act swiftly.

Armed with intelligence from local informants and surveillance support from the Blue Water Guards, the task force identified and targeted key illegal mining sites in the area. Drone footage captured a large number of illegal miners, who fled the scene as the team arrived. Despite their escape, the operation was successful in halting illegal operations on the Ankobra River.

Among the seized items were 50 chanfang machines, along with other mining equipment such as polytanks, generators, and extensive pipelines. Several makeshift shelters used by the miners were also dismantled. Additional confiscated items included refrigerators, a motorbike, PVC pipes, and parts of an excavator, all left behind by the fleeing miners.

Joyce Asiedu, Administrator of NAIMOS, confirmed the successful operation and reiterated the organization’s commitment to combating illegal mining in Ghana. She emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with the Blue Water Guards and other local enforcement agencies to ensure the protection of the country’s natural resources and to safeguard communities affected by illegal mining activities.

With Ghana’s mining sector facing increasing pressure from illegal operations, the continued efforts of NAIMOS and the Blue Water Guards signal a strong commitment to preserving the environment and restoring the health of critical river systems like the Ankobra.

U.S. House committee subpoenas Jeffrey Epstein’s estate for ‘birthday book’ tied to Trump

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has subpoenaed the estate of Jeffrey Epstein for a wide range of documents, including a leather-bound “birthday book” that was reportedly compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday and allegedly contains a note from President Donald Trump.

Rep. James Comer, the Kentucky Republican chairing the committee, issued the subpoena demanding that Epstein’s co-executors turn over records spanning from 1990 through August 2019. The request includes entries from Epstein’s contact books, videos taken from his properties, his will, and the 2008 non-prosecution agreement that allowed him to avoid federal sex trafficking charges.

The focus on the so-called “birthday book” stems from reporting last month in The Wall Street Journal, which said Epstein’s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell collected contributions from dozens of associates for the volume. The Journal reported that Trump allegedly signed a bawdy birthday letter to Epstein in the early 2000s that read, in part, “may every day be another wonderful secret.” Trump has called the report “fake” and has filed a $20 billion defamation lawsuit against the newspaper, its parent company, and media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Comer said the committee’s demand is necessary to strengthen oversight of how the federal government handled Epstein’s cases. “It is imperative that Congress conduct oversight of the federal government’s enforcement of sex trafficking laws generally and specifically its handling of the investigation and prosecution of Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell,” Comer wrote in a letter accompanying the subpoena. The committee set a Sept. 8 deadline for Epstein’s estate to comply.

In addition, Comer announced that Alex Acosta, the former U.S. attorney in South Florida who negotiated Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, will testify before the committee on Sept. 19. Acosta, who later served as labor secretary under Trump, resigned in 2019 amid scrutiny over his role in Epstein’s lenient agreement.

The committee has also subpoenaed several former attorneys general, FBI directors, and prominent political figures, including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, for testimony or documents related to Epstein. Some former Justice Department officials, such as Alberto Gonzales, Eric Holder, and Jeff Sessions, were invited to submit sworn written statements instead of in-person testimony.

The Justice Department has recently begun turning over records on Epstein to Congress, with plans to release more publicly after redacting sensitive information. Epstein, who was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019, died by suicide in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for her role in facilitating Epstein’s abuse of underage girls and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.

The renewed congressional interest comes after a July Justice Department memo stated there was no “client list” or evidence Epstein blackmailed powerful associates — a conclusion that has fueled further debate over transparency and accountability in the high-profile case.

Race to Save 150 Miners Trapped Underground After Russian Attack in Ukraine

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Kyiv (BN24) – A Russian strike on a Ukrainian mining facility has killed one worker, injured three others and left 146 miners trapped underground after the attack damaged critical infrastructure and caused widespread power outages, according to Ukraine’s largest private energy company.
DTEK, the country’s biggest private energy investor, confirmed the assault damaged enterprise buildings and equipment, resulting in electrical failures that prevented normal mining operations, the Kyiv Independent reported Monday.
“At that time, 146 miners were underground; their ascent to the surface is ongoing,” DTEK stated regarding the strike against its facilities.
The energy company did not specify the precise location of the affected mine, though trade union leader Mykhailo Volynets reported earlier that 148 miners remained trapped underground following a Russian attack in Dobropillia, located in Ukraine’s embattled Donetsk region.
DTEK has not responded to requests for additional comment regarding the incident or rescue operations.
The mining strike occurred as Ukrainian forces launched overnight attacks against Russian logistical installations in occupied Crimea, according to military officials. Ukraine’s special forces reported successfully targeting facilities “that ensure the functioning and combat supply of the military units of the Russian army,” rendering multiple installations inoperable.
The military announcement followed reports from the pro-Ukraine Crimean Wind Telegram channel describing drone strikes against an electrical substation at a railway station, characterized as a “precise hit” by the monitoring group.
The channel also documented attacks against railway infrastructure in nearby Dzhankoi and reported a possible strike against an oil depot in the same city, suggesting coordinated Ukrainian operations against Russian supply lines in the peninsula.
The twin developments underscore the continuing escalation of attacks on civilian and military infrastructure as the conflict extends into critical industrial sectors affecting both nations’ energy and transportation networks.

Migrant Crossings to UK Hit Record 28,000 as Keir Starmer Faces Mounting Pressure on Immigration Crisis

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London (BN24) – A record 28,076 migrants have crossed the English Channel to Britain aboard small boats this year, representing a 46 percent increase over the same period in 2024, according to government data released Monday that intensifies pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding his administration’s immigration policies.

The dramatic surge occurred alongside mounting public anxiety over immigration issues, which polling data identifies as voters’ primary concern, while anti-migrant demonstrations continue outside hotels housing asylum seekers across the country.

The milestone was achieved Sunday when 212 migrants arrived in four separate boats, government figures revealed. The Home Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the latest crossing statistics.

Protests erupted across Britain over the weekend following a court decision last week ordering removal of asylum seekers from a hotel in Epping, northeast of London, marking another contentious episode in the nation’s ongoing immigration debate.

Starmer’s Labour government has committed to eliminating hotel accommodations for asylum seekers by 2029 and implementing comprehensive asylum system reforms. The administration announced changes Sunday designed to accelerate asylum appeals processing and address a backlog exceeding 100,000 pending cases.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Britain’s interior minister, described the modifications as efforts to restore “control and order” to what she characterized as a system “in complete chaos.”

Official statistics released last week documented record-high asylum claims, with more migrants housed in hotels compared to the previous year’s figures.

Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing Reform UK party currently leading recent voting intention surveys, has proposed “mass deportations” for migrants arriving via small boats. His comprehensive plan includes withdrawing Britain from the European Convention on Human Rights, prohibiting asylum applications and constructing detention facilities capable of holding 24,000 individuals.

Farage informed The Times newspaper he would negotiate repatriation agreements with countries including Afghanistan and Eritrea while organizing daily deportation flights to remove asylum seekers from British territory.

UK’s Farage unveils plan to deport asylum seekers, warns of ‘civil disorder’

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London (BN24) – Nigel Farage, leader of Britain’s anti-migration Reform UK party, announced sweeping proposals Tuesday to dismantle human rights protections and enable mass deportations of asylum seekers, declaring such drastic action necessary to prevent “major civil disorder” across the country.

Farage outlined plans for his party, currently leading national opinion surveys, to withdraw Britain from the European Convention on Human Rights, repeal the Human Rights Act and nullify international treaties that courts have previously used to block forced deportations of asylum seekers.

“We are not far away from major civil disorder,” Farage declared during a press conference. “It is an invasion, as these young men illegally break into our country.”

The announcement emerged amid weeks of sustained small-scale demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers, sparked by public safety concerns following sexual assault charges against some individuals seeking refuge in Britain.

Recent polling data indicates immigration has surpassed economic issues as the primary concern among British voters. Reform UK, despite holding only four parliamentary seats, maintains a commanding lead in every voting intention survey, intensifying pressure on Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer to address mounting immigration challenges.

Britain recorded 108,100 asylum applications in 2024, representing a nearly 20 percent increase from the previous year and establishing a new national record. Individuals from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Bangladesh comprised the largest groups of asylum applicants during the period.

Public attention has concentrated particularly on migrants arriving via small boats crossing the English Channel, with record numbers reaching British shores this year despite government efforts to stem the flow.

Reform UK claimed its proposed asylum law modifications would enable deportation of 600,000 asylum seekers during a single parliamentary term if the party wins the next general election scheduled by 2029.

During the press conference, Farage questioned senior party official Zia Yusuf about the feasibility of deporting between 500,000 and 600,000 people within their first term of governance.

“Totally,” Yusuf responded without hesitation.

Starmer’s government and previous administrations have struggled for years to develop effective policies for managing undocumented migrants entering Britain through irregular channels.

Reform UK’s proposals represent the most radical immigration policy platform yet proposed by a major British political party, including provisions to negotiate repatriation agreements with Afghanistan, Eritrea and other nations to return their nationals who entered Britain illegally.

Government minister Matthew Pennycook dismissed Reform’s immigration blueprint as “a series of gimmicks” lacking practical implementation pathways. Pennycook emphasized that the European Convention on Human Rights provides essential foundations for critical international agreements, including the Good Friday Agreement that concluded three decades of violent conflict in Northern Ireland beginning in the late 1960s.

When questioned about potential consequences for the Northern Ireland peace agreement, Farage suggested renegotiation remained possible but acknowledged such processes would require years to complete.

An Ethiopian asylum seeker appeared in court Tuesday facing charges of sexual assault against a woman and teenage girl. His arrest last month triggered several high-profile protests that drew national media attention and political commentary.

Farage positioned himself as the sole party leader prepared to implement necessary measures addressing public safety concerns related to immigration policy.

“It’s about whose side are you on,” Farage stated. “Are you on the side of women and children being safe on our streets, or are you on the side of outdated international treaties backed up by a series of dubious courts?”

The current Labour government has developed strategies to “smash” criminal networks facilitating illegal migration to Britain through asylum appeals process reforms and expanded enforcement personnel recruitment.

The previous Conservative administration attempted to establish deportation arrangements with Rwanda for processing asylum seekers, but Britain’s highest court ruled the policy violated domestic and international legal standards.

China’s Xi to Host Putin and Modi in High-Stakes Summit Showcasing Global South Unity

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Shanghai (BN24) – Chinese President Xi Jinping is preparing to host more than 20 world leaders at a major regional security summit next week, a move seen as a bold demonstration of Global South solidarity amid heightened tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled for August 31 to September 1 in the northern port city of Tianjin, will bring together leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Among the most closely watched participants will be Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking Modi’s first visit to China in more than seven years.

The gathering highlights China’s determination to project an alternative global order as it strengthens ties with Russia and works to ease longstanding tensions with India following deadly border clashes in 2020. Modi last appeared alongside Xi and Putin at the 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, even as Western leaders shunned Putin over Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Russian officials in New Delhi have expressed hope that trilateral talks between China, Russia, and India could take place during the SCO meeting.

“Xi will want to use the summit as an opportunity to showcase what a post-American-led international order begins to look like, and to signal that White House efforts to counter China, Iran, Russia and even India have fallen short,” said Eric Olander, editor-in-chief of the China-Global South Project. He added that groupings such as BRICS and the SCO have rattled Trump, reflecting Beijing’s strategy to lead parallel power blocs.

According to China’s foreign ministry, this year’s SCO meeting will be the largest since the bloc was established in 2001. Originally formed by six Eurasian nations to coordinate on security and counterterrorism, the SCO has grown to 10 full members with 16 dialogue and observer partners. Its scope has widened to include economic and military cooperation, though analysts caution that its ability to deliver concrete outcomes remains limited.

“What the SCO represents and how it translates into practical policy remain unclear,” said Manoj Kewalramani, who chairs the Indo-Pacific Research Programme at the Takshashila Institution in Bangalore. “Its real strength lies in optics and convening power, rather than in substantive security solutions.”

Friction persists within the bloc, particularly between India and Pakistan. A June defense ministers’ meeting ended without a joint statement after New Delhi objected to omissions related to a deadly attack in Indian Kashmir. India also refused to support the SCO’s condemnation of Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year.

Still, momentum appears to be building for improved China-India ties. Analysts expect Xi and Modi to use the summit for discussions on incremental troop withdrawals from contested border areas, easing of trade and visa restrictions, and new cooperation in areas such as climate change and people-to-people exchanges.

“It’s likely India will put aside recent disagreements in order to keep its détente with China on track, especially with renewed tariff pressure from the Trump administration,” Olander noted.

Although experts expect few sweeping policy announcements, the summit underscores the shifting balance of global influence as China positions itself as a leader of the Global South. Putin is expected to extend his stay in China after the SCO, attending a World War II military parade in Beijing, marking a rare lengthy trip abroad for the Russian leader.

Reuters

Indonesia says U.S. agrees tariff exemption for palm oil, cocoa and rubber

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JAKARTA, Indonesia (BN24) — Indonesia announced Tuesday that the United States has agreed in principle to exempt Indonesian palm oil, cocoa and rubber exports from the 19% tariff imposed under President Donald Trump’s trade policy, a move Jakarta says will strengthen trade ties and boost Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia’s coordinating minister for economic affairs and top trade negotiator, told Reuters that the deal will reduce tariffs on key commodities “to zero or close to zero” once the final agreement is signed. While no firm timeline has been set, he said Washington has given assurances that the exemption will move forward despite the U.S. currently being engaged in tariff talks with other trading partners.

“This is a principal agreement for products not produced in the U.S., such as palm oil, cocoa and rubber,” Airlangga said, noting that the arrangement will ease pressure on Indonesia’s vital export industries.

The U.S. embassy in Jakarta declined to comment.

Indonesia eyes trade certainty and investment

Indonesia, the world’s top palm oil exporter and a leading global rubber supplier, has pushed aggressively for tariff certainty since last year, when Trump imposed uniform duties on a range of imports. Jakarta was among the first nations to seek a tariff deal in July but was ultimately hit with the same 19% rate as Thailand and Malaysia, just below Vietnam’s 20%.

During negotiations, Indonesia offered billions of dollars in investments and purchases of U.S. crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas, airplanes and agricultural products. Jakarta also committed to eliminating tariffs on nearly all American goods entering its market.

Airlangga said tariff stability with the U.S., along with progress in free trade talks with the European Union, will support Indonesia’s plan to lift economic growth to 5.4% in 2026, up from about 5% projected this year.

“Certainty is what global investors are looking for, and Indonesia provides that stability,” he said.

Expanding commodity processing and energy deals

Beyond tariffs, discussions also focused on U.S. investment in Indonesia’s energy infrastructure. Airlangga confirmed that Jakarta is seeking American participation in new fuel storage projects in partnership with state energy company Pertamina and the sovereign wealth fund Danantara.

Indonesia is also working to attract investment into industrial processing for its raw commodities. Airlangga highlighted the government’s success in bringing Chinese capital into nickel processing projects and said Jakarta wants to replicate that with palm oil, cocoa and rubber.

He added that the government is encouraging investment in silica sand processing to support domestic production of solar panels and semiconductor wafers, positioning Indonesia as a player in renewable energy and high-tech supply chains.

Reuters

Protesters in Israel Demand Release of Hostages as Gaza Strikes Kill 16, Hospitals Say

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Tel Aviv (BN24) – Demonstrators across Israel torched tires and blocked major highways Tuesday, demanding an immediate ceasefire to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed forward with plans for an expanded military offensive he claims is necessary to eliminate Hamas.

The nationwide protests erupted as Palestinians in Gaza prepared for intensified military operations amid widespread displacement, massive destruction and growing famine conditions across parts of the territory. The demonstrations followed deadly Israeli strikes on Gaza’s primary hospital that killed 20 people Monday, including medical personnel and journalists among them Mariam Dagga, who worked for The Associated Press.

Netanyahu was scheduled to convene his security cabinet Tuesday evening, though officials remained uncertain whether ceasefire negotiations would feature in discussions. The prime minister has maintained that Israel will simultaneously launch expanded operations in Gaza City while pursuing diplomatic efforts to free hostages, despite not yet dispatching a negotiating delegation to address current proposals. Netanyahu argues the military campaign represents the most effective strategy to weaken Hamas and recover captives, but hostage families and their advocates have mounted fierce opposition.

Ruby Chen, father of 21-year-old dual Israeli-American citizen Itay Chen whose remains are held in Gaza, urged leaders to return to negotiations. “Go back to the negotiation table. There’s a good deal on the table. It’s something we can work with,” Chen said. “We could get a deal done to bring all the hostages back.”

Hamas militants captured 251 hostages during their October 7, 2023 assault on Israel. The vast majority have been freed during previous ceasefire periods, while Israel has successfully rescued only eight hostages alive through military operations. Fifty captives remain in Gaza, with Israeli intelligence estimating approximately 20 are still living.

Responding to calls from Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum for a “National Day of Struggle,” protesters displayed banners reading “Hostage Deal Now.” Relatives of the captives expressed hope that sustained public pressure could compel Netanyahu and his security cabinet to commit meaningfully to ceasefire negotiations. However, far-right coalition members have repeatedly threatened to abandon the government if Israel agrees to any truce arrangement and have dismissed the protesters’ appeals.

Einav Zangauker, whose 25-year-old son Matan was abducted from one of Israel’s most severely attacked kibbutzim on October 7, criticized the prime minister’s approach. “We could have ended the war a year ago and brought all the hostages and soldiers home. We could have saved hostages and soldiers, but the prime minister chose, again and again, to sacrifice civilians for the sake of his rule,” Zangauker said.

The demonstrations followed Monday’s strike on southern Gaza’s main medical facility that killed at least five journalists and 15 other individuals, including Dagga, who had recently reported on doctors treating children suffering from starvation at the same hospital. The attack, among the war’s deadliest targeting both media personnel and healthcare facilities, generated widespread condemnation from press freedom organizations and Palestinians, who held funeral services for the victims Monday.

International criticism of the hospital strike was immediate and severe. Netanyahu characterized the incident as a “tragic mishap” and pledged military investigators would examine the circumstances. Most casualties resulted from people rushing to assist after an initial blast, only to be struck by a second attack that multiple television networks captured on camera.

The southern Gaza strike occurred as Israel prepared to expand operations into densely populated northern Gaza neighborhoods. Military officials want civilians in hospitals, displacement camps and Gaza City residential areas to evacuate southward to designated safe zones, allowing forces to target Hamas infrastructure and prevent future attacks similar to the October 7, 2023 assault that killed approximately 1,200 people and triggered the current conflict.

Israeli strikes killed at least 16 Palestinians Tuesday, according to hospital officials. Representatives from Nasser Hospital, Shifa Hospital and Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan clinic reported the casualties included entire families, women and children.

Gaza’s Health Ministry announced Tuesday that three additional adults died from malnutrition and starvation-related causes, raising the malnutrition death toll to 186 since late June when the ministry began tracking fatalities in this category. The total includes 117 children who have died from starvation-related causes since the war began.

Israel’s military campaign has killed 62,819 people according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians but estimates approximately half were women and children. The ministry operates under the Hamas-controlled government and employs medical professionals. United Nations officials and independent experts consider it the most reliable source for war casualty data, though Israel disputes the figures while not providing alternative counts.

Source: AP

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