UNRWA Says 66,000 Gazan Children Suffer From Severe Nutrition Shortage

JAKARTA - The United Nations Agency for Assistance and Work for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) said on Tuesday more than 66,000 children in the Gaza Strip were suffering from severe malnutrition due to Israel's continued hunger policy, following the closure of crossings and preventing humanitarian aid from entering for more than two months.

UNRWA spokesman Adnan Abu Hasna said in a statement, "Runts of thousands of Palestinians eat once every two or three days," as quoted by WAFA May 6.

Since March 2, Israeli occupation authorities have closed crossings with the Gaza Strip for the entry of food, aid, medical aid, and goods, leading to a significant deterioration in humanitarian situations for Palestinians, according to government reports, human rights, and internationally.

According to medical sources, the death toll from hunger has risen to 57 since the start of aggression, with warnings of an increase in the number of casualties, given the closure of crossings and prevention of humanitarian aid for more than two months.

The Palestinian government and UN officials have repeatedly warned about the dangers of continuing crossing closures by Israel and the prevention of essential supplies, including food, medicine, fuel and water. The Palestinian enclave itself has been under siege for the past two months.

As of Tuesday, Palestinians' civilian deaths since the latest conflict broke out on October 7, 2023, have reached 52,615, mostly children and women, while 118,752 others were injured.