Distinguished Palestinian intellectual dies from famine imposed by Israel in Gaza

A leading Palestinian academic, literary figure, and poet has passed away due to severe malnutrition caused by Israel's prolonged blockade of the Gaza Strip, as the regime continues its genocidal war in the Palestinian territory. 

According to local media reports, Omar Harb died on Thursday after experiencing a deterioration in his health condition in recent weeks.

The overall count of deaths associated with famine in Gaza has increased to 370, predominantly affecting children, women, and the elderly.

The 60-year-old scholar had faced significant hardship and declining physical health due to the war and blockade. Harb also suffered the loss of at least 26 family members, which included his wife, multiple children, and grandchildren. Additionally, five residences belonging to his family were obliterated by Israeli assaults.

Prior to October 2023, Harb's weight was approximately 120 kilograms. During one of his final media appearances, the scholar's weight had decreased to no more than 40 kilograms.

Harb appeared emaciated during the interview and conveyed his grief regarding the challenges he encountered, particularly the loss of his loved ones.

He additionally requested food, medication, treatment, and even a new wheelchair — none of which arrived in time to save him.

Harb, who held various qualifications in psychology and graduated from the renowned al-Azhar University in Egypt, was involved in his field until the commencement of Israel's war on Gaza, regularly attending regional events.

Since 2007, Israel has imposed a siege on Gaza, severely impacting the lives of the 2.2 million Palestinians residing in the territory. Harb provided assistance to those enduring these hardships by delivering psychological support.

His personal health started to decline after the Israeli attacks on his family residences and the deaths of his relatives.

Israel rejects truce deal, threatens to level Gaza City

Israel rejects a new proposal to end the Gaza war under a ceasefire deal, threatening to flatten Gaza City.  

Although Harb was informed that he would be evacuated from Gaza during Ramadan last year, he subsequently received a call notifying him that his name was not actually included on the list of evacuees traveling to Egypt.

“I saw my pictures before and after, and I thought: 'it's impossible that this is the same person',” he recalled. 

“We no longer know why we have reached this point. The people are suffering and no one is paying attention to the suffering of the people. We are waiting for God, glory be to Him, to stand with us.”

As reported by the Gaza health ministry, 1.9 million individuals are experiencing malnutrition. Among them, at least 641,000 are facing the most extreme levels of famine, it added.

In late August, the Integrated Food Phase Classification (IPC), a global hunger monitor supported by the UN, officially declared famine in Gaza for the first time.

The IPC is the internationally acknowledged framework for categorizing the severity of food insecurity.

A declaration of famine occurs when three criteria are met: at least 20 percent of households are facing a critical lack of food, at least 30 percent of children are suffering from acute malnutrition, and two out of every 10,000 individuals are dying each day as a consequence of “outright starvation”.

The Israeli military has pursued a brutal war in Gaza since October 7, 2023, dismissing international appeals for a ceasefire, resulting in the deaths of at least 64,231 Palestinians, predominantly women and children.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk