WHO: Malnutrition 'Particularly Extreme' in North Gaza

A Palestinian child is tended to while receiving treatment, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at Al-Awda health centre, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip March 4, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
A Palestinian child is tended to while receiving treatment, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at Al-Awda health centre, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip March 4, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
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WHO: Malnutrition 'Particularly Extreme' in North Gaza

A Palestinian child is tended to while receiving treatment, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at Al-Awda health centre, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip March 4, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
A Palestinian child is tended to while receiving treatment, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at Al-Awda health centre, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip March 4, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that malnutrition in northern Gaza was "particularly extreme."
"The situation is particularly extreme in northern Gaza," said Richard Peeperkorn, WHO representative for Gaza and the West Bank.
He said that 1 in 6 children under two years of age were acutely malnourished in northern Gaza.
"This was in January. So, the situation is likely to be greater today," Peeperkorn added.

Gaza health authorities say 15 children have died of malnutrition or dehydration at one hospital in northern Gaza.

Nearly five months into Israel's air and ground assault on the Gaza Strip and resulting mass displacement, acute shortages of food have led to what the United Nations is describing as a nutrition crisis, part of a wider humanitarian catastrophe.



Türkiye, Jordan Coordinate Syria’s Transition and Refugee Return

Fidan and Safadi during the press conference in Ankara (Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Fidan and Safadi during the press conference in Ankara (Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
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Türkiye, Jordan Coordinate Syria’s Transition and Refugee Return

Fidan and Safadi during the press conference in Ankara (Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Fidan and Safadi during the press conference in Ankara (Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Türkiye and Jordan have agreed on the importance of ensuring Syria’s unity and sovereignty while supporting its new administration in achieving stability and rebuilding a future inclusive of all Syrians without discrimination.

High-level discussions in Ankara on Monday, involving foreign and defense ministers as well as intelligence chiefs from both countries, underscored joint efforts toward Syria’s reconstruction, the return of refugees, and improving daily life for citizens.

The talks came amid intensified Turkish military actions against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) near Tishrin Dam and Qara Qozak Bridge in eastern Aleppo. Türkiye’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, speaking alongside Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, emphasized cooperation on counterterrorism, developments in Syria, Palestine, Iraq, and the broader region.

Fidan noted that Türkiye and Jordan have been aligned since the onset of the Syrian conflict, and both countries remain focused on stabilizing Syria. He revealed plans to draft a roadmap for supporting the Syrian people in coordination with Syrian stakeholders. Future meetings involving Türkiye, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon are also planned to discuss regional stability. He further reaffirmed solidarity with Jordan in efforts to stop the aggression in Gaza.

Safadi, for his part, stressed that Syria’s stability is vital to regional security, highlighting the shared commitment of Jordan and Türkiye to supporting Syrians in rebuilding their nation on inclusive foundations. He noted discussions on enhancing essential services, including electricity access, for Syrians and emphasized Amman’s intention to intensify cooperation with Ankara and Baghdad to create solutions benefiting the entire region.

Both ministers condemned Israel’s recent attacks on Syrian territory, describing them as clear violations of international law and Syria’s sovereignty. They also reiterated the unified stance of Arab states in supporting Syria’s stability and reconstruction.

Fidan declared that eliminating the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) is only a matter of time, rejecting policies that enable the YPG’s continued presence in Syria. He affirmed Türkiye’s commitment to combating ISIS both domestically and abroad.

Safadi, who later met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressed Jordan’s full support for Türkiye in its fight against terrorism and threats to its security. He underlined the importance of a dignified and stable life for Kurds within Syria’s diverse society, rejecting the resurgence of terrorism and warning against renewed internal conflict in Syria.