Gaza health authorities say at least 33 children have died from malnutrition, mostly in northern areas that have been hit hard by Israel's military campaign.

Since early May, fighting has spread to southern Gaza, disrupting the flow of aid into the region amid Israel's restrictions, accusing UN agencies of failing to distribute aid effectively.

In a statement on Tuesday, the group of 11 human rights experts cited the deaths of three children aged 13, 9 and 6 months due to malnutrition in the southern Khan Younis area and Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza since late May.

“From the deaths of these children due to starvation despite medical treatment in central Gaza, there is no doubt that famine has spread from northern Gaza to central and southern Gaza,” the experts said.

Special Rapporteur on the right to food Michael Fakhri has condemned Israel's "deliberate and targeted campaign to starve Palestinians".

The Israeli diplomatic mission in Geneva called the claim “misinformation”. “Israel has consistently stepped up coordination and support in the delivery of humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip,” the mission said.

More than 495,000 people across Gaza – more than a fifth of the population – are facing the most severe level of food insecurity, according to the United Nations.

Cao Phong (according to CNA, Reuters)