Reply #7: "The increase of this phenomenon can be mainly attributed to the Israeli blockade."

[ConsAreLiars]

The intent of the IDF's siege and blockade, and murderous mass slaughters like the invasion in December, is to drive the Gazans into such a condition of suffering and hardship that they will turn against Hamas. Collective punishment. It's an old theory and a far too common practice historically.

In this case the practice seems particularly directed against the most vulnerable, the children, as reflected by the rapid increase in malnutrition among infants and young children due to the specific types of nourishment and foodstuffs being blocked. The destruction of schools was one more example. The denial of medicines, hospital equipment and so on is another.

The IDF actions are designed to particularly cause suffering and hardship among the children on the assumption that seeing their kids suffer and die will cause the Gazans to blame Hamas.

Or if not that, then to fuel the intensity of the anti-Israeli sentiment so that the conflict is further intensified and even more massacres will be seen as justifiable and supported by the population of Israel, and even more harsh measures are accepted, and the supremacists/jingoists/apologists have a few more dishonest talking points.

What follows after walling off enclaves where Palestinians live and establishing barriers and checkpoints, destroying their means of livelihood, taking their land, confiscating their property, driving them into camps?

I think the historical record is clear. US history is enough. But this same story has been recorded in many parts of this sad planet.

(edit to add a dropped "o" and an "a")