Urgent Crisis: Thousands of Gaza Children Suffer Malnutrition Amid Ongoing Israeli Food Blockade, Aid Groups Warn

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The situation in Gaza is dire. Aid organizations are sounding alarms about the Israeli blockade, which has kept food and essential supplies out for over six weeks. The United Nations reports that many children are facing malnutrition, and most families manage only one meal a day as food supplies run low.

Recent Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 27 individuals, including six women and 15 children. A coalition of 12 independent aid organizations warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is “facing total collapse.” Operations are becoming perilous due to ongoing bombardments, forcing many groups to cease their efforts.

Since March 2, no critical supplies—including food, fuel, or medical goods—have entered Gaza. Following a ceasefire breach on March 18, Israeli forces intensified attacks, claiming to be targeting Hamas to encourage the release of hostages. Tragically, hundreds have lost their lives, and more than 400,000 people have been displaced.

In the southern city of Khan Younis, a strike killed a family of ten. Further strikes in northern Gaza resulted in multiple civilian casualties, highlighting the tremendous danger civilians face during military operations. The Israeli military asserts it is targeting militants, but civilian casualties continue to rise, resulting in accusations that they are failing to protect non-combatants.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that nearly all of Gaza’s over two million residents now depend on charity kitchens. These kitchens can prepare only about one million meals daily, primarily consisting of rice and pasta without fresh produce or meat. Food scarcity is severe, and the World Food Program indicates that humanitarian aid is now the primary food source for around 80% of the population.

“Kids are barely eating,” said Bushra Khalil from Oxfam. “Canned food is the norm now. Malnutrition and famine-like conditions are appearing in Gaza.” Hani Almadhoun from the Gaza Soup Kitchen noted that they have food supplies for only another three weeks, and one in five individuals leaves empty-handed.

As if food shortages weren’t enough, access to water is also becoming critical. Long lines form as residents wait for water trucks, and officials state that people are limited to six or seven liters of water per day, far below the UN’s recommended minimum.

The number of children suffering from malnutrition continues to climb. In March, over 3,600 children sought treatment for acute malnutrition, a sharp increase from around 2,000 the previous month. Aid access is increasingly limited due to ongoing hostilities, with a 70% decrease in the ability to provide nutrient supplements to malnourished children.

Amande Bazerolle, emergency coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, emphasized the grave humanitarian toll, calling it a “political choice” to deny basic survival resources.

Most aid organizations have drastically reduced services, often halting operations entirely due to safety concerns. A recent survey showed that 95% of them have scaled back efforts as Israeli bombardments render the environment too dangerous.

Israel’s military has largely ceased collaboration with humanitarian organizations, meaning aid workers are at risk and have no assurances of safety. The Israeli government defends the blockade as a strategy to pressure Hamas, claiming the group diverts aid deliveries. This assertion is disputed by aid workers who argue that strict monitoring ensures that aid reaches those in need.

The ongoing conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians. As of now, over 51,000 Palestinians have died as a result of the conflict, with most casualties comprising women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

The relentless war has devastated much of Gaza’s infrastructure and food production capabilities, forcibly displacing around 90% of the population. Hundreds of thousands are crowded into tent camps or damaged buildings, struggling with basic survival.

As the human cost of this conflict rises, the burden on civilians becomes increasingly unbearable. The world watches closely as hopes for a resolution remain distant.

For more updates, you can follow AP’s ongoing war coverage here.

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