Children continue to face the devastating consequences of dehydration and malnutrition, made worse by Israel’s restrictions on aid and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Negotiations for a ceasefire deal and hostage release between Israel and Hamas hit a roadblock in Cairo, with Israel’s absence due to unmet demands related to hostages and prisoner releases.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed the heartbreaking reality that 15 children have so far lost their lives to dehydration and malnutrition in northern Gaza, with more children struggling for survival amidst critical shortages.
The United States intervened on Saturday, March 2 by conducting its first humanitarian airdrop into Gaza, although criticized for its limited impact by aid groups.
Disruptions in essential medical care to women and children
The dire conditions have been further compounded by disruptions in essential medical supplies at hospitals, leading to fears for the lives of children in intensive care.
Recent incidents, including a deadly clash resulting in over 100 casualties from Israeli gunfire on civilians seeking food aid, underscore the urgent need for intervention to address the escalating crisis.
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UNICEF has highlighted the preventable nature of the crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent requirement for multiple reliable entry points to facilitate effective aid delivery and save lives.
“Humanitarian aid agencies like UNICEF must be enabled to reverse the humanitarian crisis, prevent a famine, and save children’s lives,” UNICEF’s Adele Khodr said in a statement Sunday, March 3rd.
She described the situation as “man-made, predictable, and entirely preventable,” and warned that the death toll among children could rapidly increase unless immediate action is taken.
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“The widespread lack of nutritious food, safe water and medical services, a direct consequence of the impediments to access and multiple dangers facing UN humanitarian operations, is impacting children and mothers, hindering their ability to breastfeed their babies, especially in the northern Gaza Strip,” she said.
“People are hungry, exhausted and traumatized. Many are clinging to life.”
US Vice President Kamala Harris chimes in on the Gaza situation
Global figures like US Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the dire situation as “inhumane” and called for immediate action to alleviate the suffering.
“What we are seeing every day in Gaza is devastating. We have seen reports of families eating leaves or animal feed. Women giving birth to malnourished babies with little or no medical care, and children dying from malnutrition and dehydration,” Harris said.
“The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses.”
Also Read: Palestinian Prime Minister Resigns Amid Gaza War
The plea for an immediate ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid access, and protection of vulnerable populations, particularly children, resonates as a critical necessity to prevent further loss of life and address the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
Distressing reports from Gaza paint a grim picture of families resorting to extreme measures for survival, with women giving birth to malnourished babies under dire circumstances.
As children continue to suffer and lives hang in the balance, urgent action is imperative to prevent further tragedies and alleviate the immense human suffering in Gaza.
