The situation in Gaza has taken a dire turn, with at least 66 children dying of malnutrition amid Israel’s ongoing war. According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, the Israeli blockade has prevented the entry of essential supplies like milk, nutritional supplements, and food aid, exacerbating the crisis.
The office condemned Israel’s actions as a “war crime” and accused the country of using “starvation as a weapon to exterminate civilians.” Israel’s allies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, have also been criticized for their role in this catastrophe.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the number of malnourished children in Gaza is rising at an alarming rate. In May alone, at least 5,119 children between 6 months and 5 years old were admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition.
This represents a nearly 50% increase from April and a 150% increase from February when a ceasefire was in effect and aid was entering Gaza in significant quantities. Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, emphasized that every one of these cases is preventable and that Israel must allow large-scale delivery of life-saving aid through all border crossings.
The situation on the ground is dire, with reports indicating that Israeli forces have intensified their attacks on Gaza, killing at least 60 Palestinians, including 20 people in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City. The bombings have flattened residential buildings, and rescuers are still searching for survivors.
Mahmoud al-Nakhala, a resident of the affected area, described the scene: “We were sitting peacefully when we received a call from a private number telling us to evacuate the entire block immediately… As you can see, the whole block is nearly wiped out.” He added, “It’s heartbreaking that people watch what’s happening in Gaza – the suffering, the massacres – and stay silent.”
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed organization, has become a crucial source of food in the Strip due to Israel’s severe restrictions on aid entry. However, the GHF’s operations have been marred by controversy, with aid groups condemning its “militarized” approach. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the operation as “inherently unsafe” and said it was “killing people.”
Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, called the GHF’s aid distribution system an “abomination and utter disgrace,” emphasizing the need to dismantle the current system and establish proper aid delivery mechanisms.
The international community has been urged to intervene and open crossings into Gaza immediately. The crisis highlights the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
As the situation continues to unfold, the fate of thousands of children and civilians hangs in the balance, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address the malnutrition crisis and ensure the delivery of essential aid.