Gaza: The ongoing 21-month-long war in Gaza has resulted in over 58,000 fatalities and 100,000 injuries as Israeli attacks persist, with the rising number of child deaths due to malnutrition becoming increasingly alarming. In recent weeks, United Nations (UN) agencies have documented nearly 900 deaths of desperate and hungry Gazans attempting to collect food, with many incidents tied to private aid hubs operated by the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
According to United Nations, Juliette Touma, the director of communications for the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, has frequently visited Gaza during and before the war, reflecting on the children she has encountered there and in other conflict zones. She shares haunting memories from her time in Yemen, witnessing emaciated children battling cholera, and draws parallels to the current situation in Gaza.
The blockade on Gaza, in place for over 15 years, has severely restricted access to food and essential supplies, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. UNRWA has been providing food aid to over one million people, but the situation has worsened in recent months. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 50 children have died from malnutrition since the siege began on March 2. UNRWA has screened more than 242,000 children in its clinics across the Gaza Strip, revealing that one in ten is malnourished.
The story of Ahlam, a seven-month-old severely malnourished baby, highlights the dire conditions many children face. Her family has been displaced multiple times since the war began, and she suffers from a weakened immune system due to trauma, lack of clean water, and inadequate nutrition.
The scarcity of therapeutic supplies to treat malnourished children is a critical issue, compounded by the tight siege imposed by Israeli authorities that blocks the entry of food, medicines, and hygiene materials. Despite occasional easing of the blockade, UNRWA has been unable to bring in humanitarian assistance since March 2.
The tragic death of Salam, another malnourished infant, underscores the urgent need for action. Eight children queuing for therapeutic support were killed in an Israeli strike on a clinic, leaving families in despair. UNRWA has over 6,000 trucks loaded with essential supplies awaiting permission to enter Gaza, as well as more than 1,000 health workers ready to provide specialized nutritional services to children in need.
The international community faces a pressing question: how many more children like Ahlam and Salam must die before decisive action is taken to end the suffering? The call for a ceasefire grows louder as the world grapples with the heart-wrenching reality of preventable child deaths in Gaza.