Renowned Palestinian Scholar Succumbs to Starvation Amid Zionist Blockade in Gaza
A prominent Palestinian academic, renowned literary figure, and poet has died as a result of severe malnutrition brought on by Israel's extended blockade of the Gaza Strip. This tragic event unfolds amid ongoing hostilities that many describe as genocidal within the Palestinian territory.
Local media outlets report that Omar Harb passed away on Thursday following a decline in his health over the past few weeks.
The death toll linked to the famine crisis in Gaza has risen to 370, with the majority of victims being children, women, and the elderly.
The 60-year-old academic has endured severe adversity and worsening health conditions resulting from the ongoing conflict and blockade. Harb has tragically lost at least 26 family members, including his wife, several children, and grandchildren. Furthermore, five homes owned by his family were destroyed in Israeli attacks.
Before October 2023, Harb’s weight was around 120 kilograms. However, in one of his last public media appearances, the renowned scholar’s weight had dropped significantly to just 40 kilograms.
Harb appeared noticeably emaciated during the interview, expressing deep sorrow over the difficulties he faced, especially the loss of his loved ones.
He also sought assistance in the form of food, medication, medical treatment, and a new wheelchair — however, none of these essentials were provided in time to prevent his tragic demise.
Harb, an alumnus of the prestigious al-Azhar University in Egypt with multiple qualifications in psychology, actively participated in his field by frequently attending regional events until the outbreak of Israel’s conflict in Gaza.
Since 2007, Israel has enforced a blockade on Gaza, significantly affecting the lives of 2.2 million Palestinians living in the region. Harb extended aid to those enduring these challenges by offering psychological support.
Following the Israeli attacks on his family residences and the tragic loss of his relatives, his personal health began to deteriorate.
Despite being initially informed that he would be evacuated from Gaza during Ramadan last year, Harb later received a call indicating that his name was, in fact, not on the list of evacuees heading to Egypt.
He reflected on the stark contrast between his before and after photos, remarking, “I couldn’t believe that it was the same person.”
The current situation has reached a critical juncture with uncertainty prevailing. The populace is enduring hardship, yet their plight is largely ignored. There remains hope in divine intervention to offer support and relief.
According to the Gaza health ministry, approximately 1.9 million people are currently suffering from malnutrition, with at least 641,000 individuals enduring severe famine conditions.
In late August, the Integrated Food Phase Classification (IPC), a global hunger monitoring entity backed by the United Nations, announced for the first time an official declaration of famine in Gaza.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is the globally recognized system for assessing and classifying the seriousness of food insecurity situations.
A famine is officially declared when conditions meet a set of specific criteria: a minimum of 20 percent of households experience severe food scarcity, at least 30 percent of children suffer from acute malnutrition, and the mortality rate reaches two deaths per 10,000 people per day due to “outright starvation.”
The Israeli military has been engaged in intense military operations in Gaza since October 7, 2023, disregarding international calls for a ceasefire. These actions have led to the reported deaths of at least 64,231 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children.
