GAZA: The UN Agency operating in the Palestinian enclave reported that one in three Palestinian children under the age of 2 in northern Gaza is now facing acute malnutrition, with the specter of famine looming.
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) sounded the alarm in a social media post, stating that children’s malnutrition levels are rapidly escalating to unprecedented heights in Gaza.
Following Israel’s air and ground campaign in Gaza, which commenced over five months ago in response to Hamas’ attack on October 7, the region is left in ruins. The conflict has displaced the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million population, plunging them into a severe humanitarian crisis.
Hospitals in Gaza have reported deaths of children due to malnutrition and dehydration. The International food insecurity watchdog, the IPC, is set to release a report soon detailing the severity of the hunger crisis in Gaza. This follows its warning in December about the looming risk of famine extending through May.
For the IPC to officially declare a famine, certain criteria must be met, including at least 20% of the population experiencing extreme food shortages, one in three children being acutely malnourished, and a daily death rate of two people per 10,000 from starvation, malnutrition, and related diseases.
Western nations have urged Israel to facilitate more aid into Gaza, citing significant obstacles such as border closures, strict vetting processes, movement restrictions, and internal unrest within Gaza.
Although air and sea relief deliveries have commenced into Gaza, aid organizations emphasize that land-based supply routes remain irreplaceable.
Recently, the World Central Kitchen completed its first sea delivery via Cyprus into Gaza, marking a potential breakthrough.
