GAZA CITY — Five Palestinians, including two children, died of starvation and malnutrition in the blockaded Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.

In a brief statement on Telegram, the ministry reported: “Five people died of famine and malnutrition over the past 24 hours.”

The latest deaths bring the total number of famine-related fatalities in Gaza to 127, including 85 children, since the Israeli blockade and military campaign began in October 2023.

The ongoing Israeli offensive—launched on Oct. 7—has killed more than 59,700 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children, according to local health authorities. The months-long bombardment has decimated infrastructure and triggered a devastating humanitarian crisis marked by severe food shortages.

Despite mounting international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has continued its military operations across the enclave.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice. — Agencies