Idf regroups as charity warns of hunger crisis

Medics battle to help young kids

ISRAELI troops were last night preparing for the next stage of the war in Gaza as experts warned of a malnutrition crisis.

The Israel Defence Forces have regrouped amid speculation of an imminent assault on Rafah in the south.

In an address to the nation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was determined to achieve “total victory”. He continued: “I have made it clear to the international community: There will be no ceasefire without the return of the hostages.”

After IDF forces withdrew from positions in the south of Gaza, a spokesman said they were regrouping. Lt Col Peter Lerner said: “It is another stage in the war effort.”

Yesterday Chris Lockyear, secretary general of charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, said medics were having to choose between treating the wounded or malnourished children.

His warning comes after David Cameron said there was a risk of famine as the humanitarian crisis deepens.

Mr Lockyear said: “We are seeing rising rates of malnutrition.

“The situation in places like the al-aqsa hospital which is in the middle area of Gaza, we’re in a really critical situation. Our medics are having to choose between getting beds to trauma patients who are seeking assistance, medication and surgery for some horrendous wounds versus giving those beds to malnourished children.

“So we’re absolutely seeing rapidly increasing rates of malnutrition.”

He said that hospitals are being “systematically attacked and targeted in this really horrendous war”.

The World Health Organization said Gaza’s largest hospital, al-shifa, had been reduced to ashes by Israel, leaving what it described as an empty shell with many bodies.