The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued an alarming warning about the worsening humanitarian conditions for children in Gaza, highlighting their growing risk of starvation, illness, and death due to ongoing Israeli bombardments and the prolonged blockade on essential aid.

“For two months, children in the Gaza Strip have faced relentless bombardments while being deprived of essential goods, services, and lifesaving care. With each passing day of the aid blockade, they face the growing risk of starvation, illness, and death – nothing can justify this,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell declared.

A Deteriorating Humanitarian Crisis

UNICEF has raised concerns over Gaza’s severely declining access to water, with 75 percent of households reporting insufficient drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Families are being forced to choose between cooking, bathing, and cleaning, worsening health risks.

Vaccination supplies are running out, as diseases spread rapidly among children. UNICEF reports that acute watery diarrhea—a potentially fatal condition for young children—now accounts for one in every four disease cases recorded in Gaza. Malnutrition is rising, with over 9,000 children admitted for acute malnutrition treatment, yet insecurity and displacement prevent hundreds more from accessing care.

International Law and Demands for Action

Russell emphasized Israel’s legal obligation as an occupying power under international humanitarian law to provide adequate food, medicine, and essential resources to civilians under its control.

UNICEF has called for the immediate lifting of the aid blockade, the entry of commercial goods, the release of hostages, and the protection of all children caught in the escalating crisis.

As Gaza’s humanitarian situation reaches unprecedented levels, international pressure mounts for immediate intervention.

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