The United Nations has issued urgent warnings over the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where more than 60,000 children under the age of five are facing malnutrition, and food supplies have nearly run out amid an ongoing Israeli-imposed siege.
The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that Gaza is on the brink of starvation, with bakeries closed, aid blocked, and hunger rapidly spreading across the population. “All basic supplies are running out in Gaza. It means babies and children are going to bed hungry,” said Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s communications director.
The warnings come as the Israeli military resumed its offensive on 18 March, breaking a ceasefire that had briefly allowed humanitarian aid to flow during January. Since March 2, the UN says access for aid convoys has been effectively blocked, causing massive disruption to food distribution, hospital fuel supplies, and the movement of humanitarian workers.
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Sigrid Kaag emphasised that Israel is legally obliged under international law to allow humanitarian access, warning that the deteriorating conditions are “horrific not only for civilians but also for aid workers, most of whom are Palestinian.”
The death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 50,900, the majority of whom are women and children, according to Palestinian health authorities.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Meanwhile, Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The UN continues to call for immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access and a cessation of hostilities to prevent further loss of life and irreversible damage to Gaza’s civilian population.
