Gaza, October 01 (QNA) - Over the past 24 hours, hospitals in the Gaza Strip recorded two deaths, one of them a child, due to malnutrition and famine in the Strip, bringing the death toll from famine and malnutrition to 455, including 151 children.

Medical sources said that since the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared famine in Gaza on Aug. 22, 177 deaths, including 36 children, have been recorded to date.

The sources noted that 17,000 children are suffering from severe malnutrition, while patients are being treated for stress and memory loss resulting from severe hunger. Hospitals lack sufficient medical beds and medications for the massive number of people suffering from severe malnutrition.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned that malnutrition among children under the age of five doubled between March and June as a result of the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. (QNA)