A statement by the Gaza Government Media Office on Telegram says the number of deaths due to malnutrition in the Gaza Strip is at 57 and expected to increase as the crossings into the enclave remain closed and the entry of aid, baby formula and nutritional supplements has been prevented by Israel, Al Jazeera reports.

It added that the vast majority of victims were children,as well as sick and elderly people.

It said: “We condemn in the strongest terms the continued use of food by the Israeli occupation as a weapon of war and its imposition of a stifling blockade against more than 2.4 million people in the Gaza Strip by completely closing the crossings for the 63rd consecutive day.”

The office called on “the international community, humanitarian organisations and human rights organisations to take immediate and effective action and exert pressure by all means to open the Rafah border crossing and all other crossings”