The United Nations children’s agency, UNICEF, has issued an urgent plea for all humanitarian aid crossings into war-torn Gaza to be fully opened. The organization warns that a catastrophic surge in child deaths is imminent, primarily because children’s immune systems have been severely weakened by the ongoing crisis.
UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The risk of a massive spike in child deaths is critical, affecting not only newborns but also older infants. Their immune systems are more compromised than ever, making them incredibly vulnerable.”
This urgent call comes as Israeli forces have begun withdrawing from certain areas of the Palestinian territory, part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. This move marks the initial stage of a peace initiative aimed at resolving the two-year conflict.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has announced plans to significantly increase humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, where widespread famine looms in many regions. This intensified effort is set to begin within the first 60 days following the ceasefire in the enclave.
UNICEF highlights nutrition support as its paramount concern, noting that a staggering 50,000 children are currently facing acute malnutrition and require urgent medical intervention.
Pires explained that children’s immunity has plummeted because “they haven’t been eating properly, or at all, for far too long.”
He further stressed that children desperately “need the right vitamins and nutrients to develop properly and build resilience against fluctuating temperatures and potential virus outbreaks.”