The dire situation in Gaza, where a famine has been declared by the United Nations last week, continues to deteriorate as described by the head of Save the Children during a Security Council meeting.

The president of the international charity, Inger Ashing, presented a grim picture of the condition of starving children in the region, emphasizing that for many, death comes slowly and painfully due to malnutrition.

Ashing detailed how children's bodies first turn to fat stores and then consume their muscles and organs as starvation takes hold.

In a shocking revelation, she noted that due to extreme weakness, these children are no longer even able to cry out in pain or distress.

According to Ashing, the silence in aid clinics reflects the severity of the situation, with severely malnourished children lying silently as they waste away.

Ashing has been resolute in her warnings that famine was a looming threat due to Israel's restrictions on food and other essential supplies entering Gaza over the past two years.

This conflict, triggered by the Hamas attack in October 2023, has persisted for more than 22 months and has led to severe shortages.

The United Nations attributes the current famine status to Israel's systematic obstruction of aid efforts.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative, a UN-backed hunger monitor, reports that approximately 500,000 people are affected by the famine in the Gaza governorate.

This area represents about one-fifth of Palestinian territory and includes Gaza City.

The initiative projects that the affected zone will expand to cover around two-thirds of Gaza by the end of September.

Ashing also emphasized the legal and moral responsibility held by those present at the meeting, urging collective action to prevent what has been described as an atrocity.

The situation remains dire, with urgent international intervention necessary to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.