The Syrian war is claiming more victims, but this time it's not just from bombs dropped by Russian or Syrian government planes.
Syrian children and others are starving to death just 40-miles from Beirut, in the city of Madaya.
For the past six months, a blockade has trapped at least 20,000 people inside the city. Hezbollah fighters to the west, and Syria government forces to the south and east have the people surrounded. No food or supplies have been allowed in, or out. That's because the area has been a base for rebels fighting against the Assad regime.
But children are innocent victims, and they're getting little food, or medical care. There is no hospital in Madaya.
This Madaya boy told a Middle East Eye videographer he hadn't eaten any food for three days. He begged for something to eat so he could give it to his little brothers.
Click on this link to view his desperate plea (Arabic): Boy's Plea
And Click on this link to see a shocking video from Sky News about the young children who are among those starving to death in Madaya: Starving Children
One field hospital worker told CNN he sees about 250 cases of starvation per day. Five people died this past weekend, including a 9-year old child.
Only a small amount of food is available in the city and it's too expensive for most Madaya residents--few can afford the inflated prices. One kilo of flour is reportedly costing $120, and a liter of milk is selling for $300. One mother is reportedly feeding her children only tea and grass.
The Assad regime has finally granted a United Nations convoy access to Madaya to provide humanitarian relief for the people. The U.N. says it is bringing enough food to sustain 40,000 people for one month.
But what happens after the food is gone? And what about other beseiged Syrian cities?
The death toll rises--and now it's not just from bombs, but from famine created by those disregarding the lives of innocents as they continue to wage this tragic civil war.