Israeli gunfire and strikes kill at least 53 in Gaza as many were seeking food aid
Deadly Israeli gunfire was reported twice within hours close to the Zikim crossing with Israel in the north. In the first incident, at least a dozen people waiting for aid trucks were killed, said staff at Shifa hospital, where bodies were taken. Israel's military said it fired warning shots to distance a crowd 'in response to an immediate threat" and it was not aware of any casualties.
A witness, Sherif Abu Aisha, said people started running when they saw a light that they thought was from aid trucks, but as they got close, they realized it was Israel's tanks. That's when the army started firing, he told The Associated Press. He said his uncle was among those killed.
'We went because there is no food ... and nothing was distributed,' he said.
On Saturday evening, Israeli forces killed at least 11 people and wounded 120 others when they fired toward crowds who tried to get food from an entering U.N. convoy, Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiyah, director of Shifa hospital, told the AP.
'We are expecting the numbers to surge in the next few hours,' he said. There was no immediate Israeli military comment.
Elsewhere, those killed in strikes included four people in an apartment building in Gaza City, hospital staff and the ambulance service said. Another Israeli strike killed at least eight, including four children, in the crowded tent camp of Muwasi in the southern city of Khan Younis, according to the Nasser hospital.
Also in Khan Younis, Israeli forces opened fire and killed at least nine people trying to get aid entering Gaza through the Morag corridor, according to the hospital's morgue records. There was no immediate comment from Israel's military.
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First Post
41 minutes ago
- First Post
'Body eats itself': What happens when the body is starved of food
Gaza is gripped by a man-made famine as starvation deaths rise sharply. Doctors describe mothers too weak to breastfeed and children unable to swallow. Experts explain how the body 'eats itself' in five stages of starvation — from burning stored carbs to consuming vital organs — in a crisis that aid workers say is entirely preventable read more A doctor checks Palestinian girl Jana Ayad, who is malnourished, according to medics, as she receives treatment at the International Medical Corps field hospital, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the southern Gaza Strip, June 22, 2024. File Image/Reuters Since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, dozens have died from starvation and malnutrition-related conditions. The majority of these deaths have been recorded in recent months, as the already fragile humanitarian situation collapsed further. In March this year, Israel tightened its blockade into what aid workers describe as a 'total siege,' halting nearly all food and medical supplies. This decision has left trucks full of emergency aid stalled at land crossings, unable to enter despite the urgent need. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The consequences have been catastrophic. Gaza's 2.1 million residents have endured relentless bombardment and mass displacement — many forced to flee multiple times, with some uprooted as many as ten times since the conflict began. This instability, coupled with blocked aid, has created conditions of extreme hunger. Images emerging in recent weeks show visibly emaciated children. The United Nations World Food Programme has reported that more than one-third of the population has gone for days at a time without food. At least a quarter of Gaza's people are now experiencing what experts describe as 'famine-like conditions.' Local doctors report scenes in hospitals where many Palestinians too weak to donate blood and mothers physically unable to produce breast milk for their babies. The World Health Organisation warns that the 'worst-case scenario of famine' is no longer a prediction — it has arrived. In July alone, the WHO documented 63 deaths from malnutrition in Gaza. UNICEF estimates that 100,000 women and children are currently suffering from severe malnutrition, while other UN agencies warn that disease is spreading rapidly and health infrastructure has almost completely collapsed. What happens to the human body without food While hunger is a universal sensation, prolonged deprivation sets off a series of profound changes inside the human body — changes that can ultimately end in death. 'If you're not eating enough, we have evolved mechanisms for how to stay alive,' Dr. Kevin Stephenson, a malnutrition expert at Washington University in St Louis, US, explained, while speaking to National Public Radio (NPR). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We basically eat our own body for nutrition.' This self-consumption unfolds in five overlapping metabolic stages, as the body adapts to survive without external energy sources. Phase one In the earliest stage of food deprivation, the body turns to its most accessible energy source — stored carbohydrates, mostly in the liver. 'The carbohydrate stores in our liver are like protein bars that our body has evolved to be able to tap into,' Stephenson explains. During a normal overnight fast, or even the gap between meals, the body already taps these reserves. If no food is consumed beyond this initial period, the carbohydrate stores run out — typically within 24 to 48 hours — and the first weight loss begins. Hunger pangs and stomach 'growling' may occur as the digestive tract contracts to clear out remnants of food. Phase two By the second day, the body switches fuel sources, relying on fat. As fat is broken down for energy, blood sugar levels drop. This can lead to fatigue, dizziness and lightheadedness. Phase three Around the third day, the liver ramps up production of ketones — compounds derived from fat that serve as an alternative fuel for the brain. This ketone production allows the body to keep functioning without the severe symptoms of low blood sugar. Paradoxically, some people report a fleeting sense of mental sharpness during this stage, along with a reduced desire to eat. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Phase four As hunger stretches into days and weeks, the body enters a conservation state, slowing its metabolism to preserve energy. Heart rate and blood pressure drop, and the body reduces production of certain hormones. 'Hormones that are important but not critical to survival are dialed down,' Stephenson notes. Thyroid hormones decline, causing lethargy; reproductive hormones also dip, often halting menstrual cycles. People instinctively reduce their physical activity, not just out of weakness but because their bodies are essentially telling them to conserve every bit of energy. Phase five Eventually, fat stores run out. This can take weeks or even months, depending on the person's initial fat reserves. At that point, the body begins to consume muscle protein — including muscles essential for life, such as the heart. 'The body tries to preserve muscle as best it can because muscle is very metabolically demanding to build,' Stephenson tells NPR. 'But ultimately, though, it gives up and says, 'I'm gonna die if I don't get protein here.'' This phase causes the most visible signs of starvation: severe muscle wasting, weakness, swollen legs and abdomen (due to loss of the protein albumin), brittle hair, thin and dry skin, and deeply sunken eyes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If starvation continues, organ systems fail. The immune system collapses, leaving the body vulnerable to infections it can no longer fight. The weakening of the heart muscle can cause dangerous irregular rhythms, which can trigger sudden cardiac arrest. Adults with water access can survive up to two months without food. But ultimately, in this fifth stage, unless food is reintroduced carefully, starvation becomes fatal. Why children are the most vulnerable Children deteriorate much faster under starvation. Their bodies need a steady stream of nutrients for growth, but their energy reserves are small. UNICEF estimates that 12.2 million children worldwide faced severe malnutrition last year, with South Asia being the hardest-hit region. Gaza is now adding dramatically to those figures. Palestinian children gather to receive food from a charity kitchen, amid a hunger crisis, in Gaza City, July 22, 2025. File Image/Reuters Stephenson warns that the danger for children is acute and fast-moving: 'It's so, so common to hear this story from a mom: 'My kid was irritable and felt hot. I took them to a local doctor, and within two hours, they were dead.'' Children with even minor infections — pneumonia, diarrhoea — spiral downward rapidly. Illness drains energy stores further, and their already fragile systems can't recover. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In severe cases, children stop feeling hunger entirely. Their digestive systems weaken, and they lose the ability to swallow. Muscle wasting affects the jaw and the coordination needed to eat. 'Swallowing is so fundamental to survival, and so I think that speaks to how severe this condition is,' Stephenson says. 'Eventually, you can just get sick enough that the parts of your brain that stimulate you to eat stop working.' The treatment for malnutrition in children is straightforward in theory: food and water. Also Watch: Emergency responders often provide peanut-based pastes, rich in calories and nutrients. Children too weak to swallow are given feeding tubes. But treating children with prolonged starvation comes with its own risks. They can develop refeeding syndrome — a dangerous shift in electrolytes that can disrupt heart rhythms and cause death if not managed carefully. If left untreated, severe malnutrition kills between 10 per cent and 40 per cent of affected children. Survivors often suffer long-term damage: stunted growth, developmental delays, and lifelong vulnerability to illness. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Studies also show that severe malnutrition in childhood correlates with poorer academic performance and reduced economic prospects later in life. Still, Stephenson offers hope: 'It is possible, if you get them through that one bad, worst period of their childhood, that they could be OK. All hope is not lost.' Starvation: A preventable tragedy Severe malnutrition is one of the simplest medical crises to treat — yet one of the deadliest if left unaddressed. 'There are lots of complicated things that we can't fix in the world, but severe malnutrition is not one of them,' Stephenson says. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the US and Israel, began operating aid distribution points in May. But instead of being a lifeline, many human rights organisations accuse these sites of being deadly traps. According to multiple rights groups, more than 1,000 Palestinians have died at or near GHF distribution centres. Security forces managing the aid points have allegedly fired live ammunition into crowds and used tear gas in tight, densely packed areas, causing fatal suffocation incidents. The GHF has also been criticised for operating in a militarised environment, where chaotic crowd control and insufficient safeguards leave the weak and vulnerable behind. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Only those physically strong enough to reach and withstand conditions at these sites — often younger, healthier individuals — can collect rations. Palestinians gather to receive food from a charity kitchen, amid a hunger crisis, in Gaza City. File Image/Reuters People who are elderly, disabled, or too frail are effectively excluded, deepening the inequality in access to desperately needed food. More than 100 humanitarian organisations have called on Israel and international authorities to ensure unimpeded access for aid deliveries, insisting that starvation on this scale is both preventable and reversible if assistance reaches those in need. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
City sees uptick in malaria, dengue, and chikungunya cases
MUMBAI: The city has recorded a significant surge in vector-borne diseases this year, with malaria, dengue, and chikungunya cases rising between January and July 2025, according to the BMC's latest monsoon report released on Friday. Dengue infections also saw an uptick, rising to 1,160 cases this year from 966 in 2024. Notably, 426 dengue cases were reported just between July 14 and the end of the month (AP) Malaria cases nearly doubled, with 4,151 cases reported in the first seven months of 2025, compared to 2,852 cases during the same period last year. Dengue infections also saw an uptick, rising to 1,160 cases this year from 966 in 2024. Notably, 426 dengue cases were reported just between July 14 and the end of the month. Chikungunya recorded a fivefold increase, jumping from 46 cases in 2024 to 265 this year. Of these, 86 cases were reported after July 14 alone. 'The worrying part is that malaria is starting to present differently. The joint pain patients experience is so severe that it really impacts their productivity and daily life. While dengue and malaria patients often require hospitalisation, chikungunya is mostly treated on an OPD basis. Thankfully, mortality among pregnant women has been quite low this time,' said Dr Abizer Manked, Consultant Physician, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai. While cases of leptospirosis, gastroenteritis, and COVID-19 showed a marginal decline, hepatitis A and E saw a spike, with 613 cases reported from January to July 2025. 'The early onset of monsoon in May this year created a favourable environment for vector-borne diseases, leading to a noticeable rise in cases of malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and hepatitis. In contrast, a decline was noted in leptospirosis and gastroenteritis cases,' the BMC report stated. The BMC has now issued advisories, recommending cleaning of stagnant water pools in and around homes, avoiding clutter anywhere, using mosquito nets, drinking boiled water and avoiding street food. It has also warned citizens not to ignore fevers. It has also increased surveillance, owing to the increase in the number of vector-borne diseases, said an official. The corporation recently relaunched its 'Aapli Chikitsa Yojana', providing common blood tests, urine analysis, and several diagnostic tests at nominal costs and providing the test results to the patients via WhatsApp. Meanwhile, doctors stated that the rise in cases was primarily due to severe waterlogging that occurred during the early days of the monsoon, followed by patchy rainfall. Along with this, an increased awareness amongst the public has led to a greater number of diagnostic tests being conducted in the city. 'There have not been many hospitalisations, and we have not seen extremely low platelet counts, but that would be a matter of concern. Thankfully, things have not escalated,' Dr Gautam Bhansali, consultant physician at Bombay hospital. 'The number of cases is a result of increased awareness and investigations as well.'
Economic Times
17 hours ago
- Economic Times
USA to have 22,000 deaths annually in USA due to lack of health care? Research reveals shocking details
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How Law may Affect Coverage Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads About the Research Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Preventive Care may Lapse FAQs Delayed treatments, canceled doctor visits, skipped prescriptions. Losing insurance is bad for your health. The Congressional Budget Office forecasts that the U.S. uninsured population will grow by 10 million in 2034, due to the tax and spending bill signed into law by President Donald Trump. And, thanks to a natural experiment nearly two decades ago, researchers can forecast what that will mean for patient care. Among the problems they predict will develop as a direct result of these people losing coverage: About 2.5 million people may no longer have a personal doctor, about 1.6 million patients will take on medical debt, the lack of care may cause nearly 22,000 deaths annually, AP reported.'There's really no questioning the basic reality that you can't take health care away from 10 million people without causing many preventable deaths,' said Dr. Adam Gaffney, lead researcher on a team that explored the new law's a deeper look at the research and challenges that could will become harder for many people to enroll in Medicaid or individual insurance plans and then stay covered. Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that covers care for people with low will have to verify every six months whether someone remains eligible for Medicaid. That could cause coverage lapses for people with incomes that fluctuate or for those who move and miss renewal also are expected to lose coverage as states require Medicaid recipients to work, volunteer or go to school unless in Medicaid has swelled in recent years. Republicans are cutting back in part to help fund tax breaks and pay for other priorities like border security. They also say they are trying to root out waste and fraud by rightsizing Medicaid for the population it was initially designed to serve — mainly pregnant women, the disabled and covered through the Affordable Care Act's individual insurance marketplaces also will see shorter enrollment windows and no more automatic of Harvard Medical School, and other researchers looked to past studies to measure how many people would experience detrimental effects, like going without prescriptions, from the upcoming changes. Gaffney updated the published analysis, which was originally based on the House version of the bill, at the AP's study in particular was critical for their work: In 2008, Oregon offered a rare opportunity to compare groups of people enrolled in Medicaid with those who were a four-year period of frozen enrollment due to budget limitations, the state determined it could enroll 10,000 more people in Medicaid. It used a lottery system to make the selection amid high gave researchers a chance to follow people who got coverage and those who did not, similar to how scientists testing a new drug might compare patients taking it to those given a placebo.'This is a gold standard research design because it replicates a randomized-controlled trial,' said Christine Eibner, a senior economist at RAND Corp. who was not involved in the results from that study and other research to the recent CBO estimate allowed Gaffney and other researchers to estimate specific effects of losing coverage.'By taking coverage away, we are putting patients in a terrible position,' said Gaffney, a former president of Physicians for a National Health Schlesier went four days without her cancer treatment Calquence this spring and wound up in a local emergency room, delirious with leukemia patient worries about what might happen if she stops treatment again for a longer stretch because she's lost Medicaid.'God forbid I forget to fill out a page of documentation, and suddenly I lose access to my medication or my doctors or any of the treatment that I've been going through,' the 33-year-old Farmington Hills, Michigan, resident can still receive care when they don't have coverage, but important steps often are delayed, said Dr. Gwen Nichols, chief medical officer of The Leukemia & Lymphoma may be able to visit a doctor, but they would have to line up coverage or help before they can receive expensive chemotherapy. Diagnosis also may be delayed. Meanwhile, the patient's cancer continues to grow. 'It's a ticking time bomb,' Nichols first thing patients often ditch when they lose coverage are screenings designed to catch health problems before they become serious, said Dr. Jen Brull, president of the American Academy of Family could mean patients skip tests for high cholesterol, which can contribute to heart disease, or colonoscopies that detect cancer. Researchers forecast that a half million fewer women will have gotten a mammogram within the past year by patients struggle financially and lose coverage, they focus on things like keeping a place to live and food on their table, said Brull, a Fort Collins, Colorado, physician.'Seeing a doctor because you don't want to get sick feels like a much lower priority,' Brull start taking financial hits at all ends of care when they lose may have to pay up front or start a payment plan before they receive care, said Erin Bradshaw, an executive vice president with the nonprofit Patient Advocate Foundation, which helps people with medical with an outstanding balance will have to pay it before the next appointment. Financial assistance may be available, but patients don't always know about it. Getting help also may take time and require the submission of tax returns, pay stubs or some validation that the patient no longer has said letters stating that a patient has lost Medicaid sometimes arrive a couple months after the fact. That can contribute to treatment delays or missed medication patients also try to avoid financial stress by skipping care. Schlesier said she delayed seeing a doctor when she first felt symptoms of her cancer returning because she had no coverage at the prescriptions are too expensive, patients may simply not get them or split the doses to stretch the medicine. For Thomas Harper, it's a question of priorities. 'Sometimes you have to make a choice, how well do you want to eat this week versus taking your medicine,' he West Monroe, Louisiana, truck driver has around $300 a month in prescriptions as he deals with diabetes and recovers from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.57-year-old Harper recently returned to work. That meant he lost Medicaid, which covered more of his prescription costs. He's balancing buying his meds with shopping for healthy food that keeps his blood sugar in check and builds his immune system.'I'll survive, but I know there's people out there that cannot survive without Medicaid,' he said.A1. President of USA is Donald Trump.A2. Trump tariffs deadline is ending on August 1.
