Gaza City: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has reported that over 66,000 children in the Gaza Strip are suffering from severe malnutrition. This alarming situation is attributed to the sustained blockade by Israeli authorities, which has halted the entry of food, medical aid, and other essential supplies for over two months.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, UNRWA spokesperson Adnan Abu Hasna highlighted the dire circumstances in a recent statement, noting that "hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are eating one meal every two or three days." The blockade, in effect since March 2, has led to a significant deterioration in the humanitarian conditions for Palestinians in the region. Government, human rights, and international reports confirm the severity of the situation.
Medical sources have reported that the death toll from starvation has reached 57 since the onset of the Israeli offensive, with warnings of potential increases if the blockade persists. Palestinian government and UN officials have consistently cautioned against the continued closure of crossings, which prevents the entry of crucial supplies like food, medicine, fuel, and water. The Gaza Strip has been under siege for two months.
A report by the Hebrew news website Walla indicated that the Israeli government's security cabinet recently approved a plan to resume the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza through an international fund and private companies. This mechanism has been met with widespread criticism from Palestinian and international entities, as it is perceived to violate humanitarian principles.
The International Humanitarian Country Team, operating under the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, expressed grave concerns over the plan, stating that it poses risks to civilian lives and violates international humanitarian standards. The team includes representatives from UN agencies and both Palestinian and international NGOs.
UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher have asserted that the organization will not engage in any plan that does not comply with universal humanitarian principles, emphasizing humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality.
Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip has resulted in the deaths of 52,567 civilians, predominantly children and women, and injuries to 118,610 individuals.
