![Syrian children beg for food at border crossing area in Syria. [guardian]](/sites/default/files/styles/d08_standard/public/im/Syria2/000_1syria_food_guardian.jpg?itok=aolzsHMG "Syrian children beg for food at border crossing area in Syria. [guardian]")
Syrian rebel officials and activists said on Sunday that 20 of their compatriots died of hunger or starvation-induced medical complications in the border towns of Al Shajarah and Sheikh Al Maskin on Saturday and Sunday.
The deaths raise to 80 the total number of displaced people who have allegedly succumbed to starvation in the border region over the past week.
The displaced people are among 70,000 Syrians prevented from entering Jordan by heavy bombing and violence, the vast majority of whom are reportedly without food, medical care or shelter in under-siege border towns and villages.
Rising violence continued to reduce the refugee influx into Jordan to a steady trickle, with the Jordan Armed Forces reporting the crossing of some 300 Syrians early Sunday.
