**As violence escalates, humanitarian aid to Gaza remains critically low, with children bearing the brunt of the crisis.**
**Gaza Faces Alarming Malnutrition Crisis Amid Ongoing Conflict**
**Gaza Faces Alarming Malnutrition Crisis Amid Ongoing Conflict**
**UN report highlights severity of hunger crisis with one in five children malnourished in Gaza.**
The UN's Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, revealing that one in five children in Gaza City is facing malnutrition. This alarming statistic comes amid claims that the condition of residents is deteriorating, with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini describing the population as "walking corpses." Over 100 international organizations and human rights bodies have called for urgent government interventions as the threat of mass starvation looms.
The Israeli government refutes claims of a blockade, attributing the malnutrition crisis solely to Hamas's actions. Despite these claims, the UN has critiqued Israel, stating that the level of humanitarian aid reaching the territory is alarmingly insufficient. Lazzarini reported over 100 deaths from hunger, primarily among children, indicating an urgent need for unrestricted humanitarian access.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a significant segment of Gaza’s population is at risk of starvation, calling the situation a man-made disaster. Aid worker Tahani Shehada corroborated this, explaining that local markets are frequently devoid of food, and even when supplies are available, their prices are beyond the means of ordinary families. Allegedly, people are resorting to selling personal items to afford basic necessities.
Amid this crisis, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has stated that Israel is adhering to international humanitarian laws in its aid efforts. However, accounts from aid workers suggest that residents are undergoing extreme daily struggles just to survive. Shehada revealed that even essential living activities have become luxuries for many families in Gaza.
Since March, Israeli restrictions on aid deliveries were compounded by increased violence, exacerbating the shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. A newly established aid mechanism, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, has faced challenges, including violent incidents where individuals have been shot while seeking food aid. The UN human rights office has documented over 1,000 fatalities among those attempting to secure assistance during this period.
Individuals living in Gaza describe profound fears of travelling to distribution sites due to the risk of violence. Najah, a young widow, expressed her desperation for food and the perils of seeking aid. Similarly, a medical professional in Gaza spoke of a community already overwhelmed by the effects of starving conditions. Market seller Abu Alaa lamented the nightly struggle of going to bed hungry, while pregnant Walaa Fathi termed the situation a catastrophe that few could have anticipated.
As the situation in Gaza intensifies, the cries for international intervention grow louder, underscoring the need for a comprehensive response to address both immediate humanitarian needs and the underlying causes perpetuating the crisis.
