UNICEF: Gaza Babies Are Dying In Front Of The World
It was warned that Palestinian babies and children who were forcibly starved and dehydrated under Israeli attacks continue to die in front of the eyes of the world due to malnutrition and blockage of aid.
Adele Khodr, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, made a written statement on the deaths of malnourished babies in Gaza under the Israeli blockade.
The statement pointed out that malnutrition is ravaging the Gaza Strip and the feared child deaths are occurring, stressing that at least 10 children have died in Kemal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip in recent days due to malnutrition and dehydration.
“These tragic and horrific deaths are predictable and completely preventable,” the statement said, noting that there are probably more children fighting for their lives in the few remaining hospitals in Gaza and more children in the north who cannot access care.
The statement underlined that the widespread lack of nutritious food, clean water and health services, as well as the denial of access to humanitarian aid, is affecting babies, children and mothers, especially in the north, leaving people hungry, exhausted and traumatized.
UNICEF and the World Food Program (WFP) conducted a malnutrition survey in northern Gaza in January, which revealed that 16 percent of children under the age of 2 were severely malnourished, compared to 5 percent in the southern city of Rafah.
The statement called on humanitarian organizations such as UNICEF to help reverse the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, prevent famine and save children’s lives, and called on them not to block or delay access to aid, including in the north.
“Malnourished babies in Gaza are slowly dying before the eyes of the world. The lives of thousands more babies and children depend on urgent measures to be taken now.”
