The UN agency reports a sharp increase in acute malnutrition among children under two and five in the northern Gaza Strip, as the Israeli blockade enters its third week.
Malnutrition has doubled over the past month, affecting 31% of children under two in February, compared to 15.6% in January. For children under five, the rate has increased from 13% to 25%. These figures come from nutrition screenings conducted by UNICEF and its partners.
UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell described this crisis as “catastrophic” and pointed out that despite attempts to deliver aid, the situation is deteriorating. “Our efforts in providing life-saving aid are being hampered by unnecessary restrictions, and those are costing children their lives,” she concluded.
Human rights organizations have accused Israel of violating international laws and committing crimes against humanity due to the aid cutoff. Palestinian officials report that nearly 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, with many more missing and presumed dead.
