Gaza Herald- In a heartbreaking scene that reflects the devastating famine engulfing Gaza, three-month-old Yahya Al-Najjar spent the last four days of his life drinking only anise herbal tea and water, as baby formula was completely unavailable. This tragic situation is a direct result of the severe starvation caused by the ongoing Israeli siege and blockade on the Gaza Strip, which has lasted more than 21 months.
Yahya’s parents struggled desperately to find milk or nutritional supplements to sustain their child, but with supplies cut off, they were forced to substitute anise tea, the only option they had to try and save his life. Despite their efforts, Yahya’s frail body showed clear signs of malnutrition, including severe weight loss, a swollen abdomen, and protruding ribs. His condition worsened to the point that he required admission to intensive care, but ultimately, he died of starvation.
Eyewitnesses reported that Yahya passed away on Saturday evening due to hunger.
The Gaza Ministry of Health confirmed on Sunday that Israel’s starvation policy has already resulted in the deaths of 86 Palestinians, including 76 children, due to malnutrition caused by the blockade preventing humanitarian aid from entering Gaza since October 2023. The ministry described this ongoing crisis as a “silent massacre” and reported 18 deaths within just 24 hours caused by famine.
Yahya’s mother tearfully recounted how her son spent his final days consuming anise herbal tea and water, with no milk available. She described how he constantly put his hand in his mouth, a sign of his severe hunger. She took him to the hospital days before his death when he showed alarming symptoms such as diarrhea and a swollen belly. Doctors diagnosed him with malnutrition and warned that he urgently needed milk to survive. However, since March 2, Israeli restrictions on crossings have prevented the entry of humanitarian, medical, and relief supplies, including baby formula.
Previously, Yahya had suffered a health setback requiring five days in intensive care, during which he was given milk from the hospital and showed noticeable improvement. Once the milk supply ran out, his health deteriorated rapidly as he had to rely solely on water and anise tea.
Yahya’s uncle revealed that since birth, Yahya had almost entirely depended on water and anise herbs instead of milk due to the ongoing shortage. He expressed frustration and sorrow over the child’s death, asking, “What is the fault of this child to die because baby formula was not allowed to enter?” The uncle also noted that malnutrition had affected Yahya’s mother, causing her natural milk production to dry up, coinciding with the absence of formula in local markets. He called on the international community to intervene and allow milk supplies into Gaza to save the lives of starving children.
On the way to the cemetery, Yahya’s father, Fadi Al-Najjar, carried his son’s fragile body, wrapped not in the usual newborn clothes but in a white shroud, prepared for burial. Overcome with grief, Fadi could only weep as he said goodbye to his little boy.
Human rights organizations have condemned this tragic death. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor released a video highlighting Yahya as the 75th child to die due to malnutrition and lack of baby formula. The video depicted his emaciated body, swollen belly, and protruding ribs, starkly illustrating the famine gripping Gaza. The monitor condemned Israel’s starvation policy affecting 2.4 million Palestinians and warned that these deaths would not be the last if the blockade continues.
The crisis affects not only children but all age groups, with hundreds of Palestinians including women, children, and the elderly collapsing from extreme hunger. Activists have documented numerous cases of people fainting in the streets from starvation. Journalists in Gaza have also reported suffering from hunger-related symptoms.
Since March 2, 2025, Israel has closed all crossings into Gaza, blocking food and medical aid, leading to widespread famine. According to Gaza’s government media office, approximately 650,000 children are at risk of dying from hunger and malnutrition, and about 60,000 pregnant women face serious health risks due to food shortages and lack of basic health services.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has waged a genocidal war against Gaza involving killing, starving, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring international appeals and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt its actions. Backed by the United States, this campaign has resulted in more than 200,000 Palestinians killed or injured mostly women and children over 9,000 missing, hundreds of thousands displaced, and a famine that continues to claim innocent lives.
