UNICEF has raised an urgent alarm, indicating that while global attention is drawn to other crises, the situation in Gaza is dire, described as “the worst it has ever been.” It is a reality where the Palestinian territory has, in many ways, “hit rock bottom.”
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The UN agency reports a staggering decline in aid availability, noting that 400 distribution points across Gaza have dwindled to a mere four. With a population exceeding two million, the territory is grappling with famine-like conditions, exacerbated by Israel’s blockade that began in early March and continued until the end of May, coupled with ongoing restrictions as reported by various human rights organizations.
Rosalia Bollen, UNICEF’s Communications Specialist for Children in Gaza, expressed deep concern, stating, “Hospitals are on their last legs, overwhelmed by an influx of injured individuals, and facing severe shortages of medicine and medical supplies.”
The chaos is palpable, as gunfire punctuates the air and the cries of those in distress echo near the aid distribution points. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 500 individuals have lost their lives, with nearly 3,800 injured while seeking aid since the beginning of last month. This aid is being funneled through the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, amidst rising controversy.
As pressure mounts on the privatized aid operations, which emerged in late May to fill the void left by the United Nations agencies, concerns regarding neutrality and logistical chaos are surfacing. The UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, condemned the new system as an “abomination,” endangering the lives of Palestinians. Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesperson for the UN human rights office, criticized the “weaponization of food” within the territory.
Gaza’s civil defense agency further reported tragic losses, with Israeli strikes resulting in the deaths of at least 20 individuals this morning, six of whom were merely waiting to collect food aid.
Describing the grim reality, Ms. Bollen noted that “Every child is hungry, thirsty, and exhausted.” With rising temperatures, access to clean water for sanitation is critically low, enabling the spread of disease across Palestinian communities. Overflowing sewage in the streets underscores a deteriorating infrastructure, as pumping stations lack the fuel required to function. “It’s really a man-made catastrophe unfolding before our eyes,” she lamented.
UNICEF has also indicated that children in Gaza are beginning to perish from dehydration, as the necessary fuel for water distribution trucks has been obstructed.
The alarming rates of child malnutrition are rising sharply, with 5,119 children aged six months to five years admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition in just May. The ongoing conflict has inflicted severe damage to vital water, sanitation, and health systems, thereby hampering efforts to address the nutritional crisis; only 127 out of 236 treatment centers remain operational, primarily due to displacement orders and relentless bombardments.
In a recent report, UNICEF revealed that of the 5,119 malnourished children treated last year, 636 were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), the most critical form of malnutrition. “These children need consistent, supervised treatment, safe water, and medical care to survive — all of which are increasingly scarce in Gaza today,” the organization emphasized.
Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, underscored the urgency of the situation: “Every one of these cases is preventable. The food, water, and nutritional treatments they desperately need are being obstructed. Man-made decisions are costing lives. Israel must urgently facilitate the large-scale delivery of life-saving aid through all border crossings.”
Additionally, RUTF (Ready-to-Use- Therapeutic Food), crucial for treating malnourished children, is experiencing a critical shortage.
In the aftermath of a recent truce amid the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict, Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir announced that Israel would “now shift back to Gaza.” Calls for a Gaza truce have emerged from the Israeli opposition, the Palestinian Authority, and family representatives of Israeli hostages.
While discussions on peace continue, it was reported that Israel lost seven soldiers in combat overnight in Gaza, as the conflict with Hamas endures. With more than 430 Israeli soldiers having died since the onset of this war, which began with Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, the toll on both sides continues to mount. The initial attack resulted in the tragic deaths of 1,219 individuals, primarily civilians, alongside 251 hostages, many of whom remain unaccounted for, and 49 of whom are confirmed to have died.
The consequences of Israel’s military response have been devastating, with at least 56,077 casualties reported by Gaza’s health ministry, the majority of whom are civilians—a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
In these challenging times, the need for comprehensive dialogue and decisive action to address the crisis in Gaza is more critical than ever.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
