The United Nations children's agency, UNICEF, has issued a stark warning about the dire conditions faced by children trapped in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the severe impact of the months-long conflict initiated by the Israeli regime. In a recent interview, UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram expressed deep concern over the chronic underfeeding and extreme trauma experienced by Palestinian children in the besieged territory.
According to a UNICEF survey, 90 percent of children under the age of two in Gaza have access to only two main food groups—grains and dairy—compared to the five essential food groups required for a healthy diet. Ingram emphasized the alarming deficiency in nutrients crucial for the growth and development of young children.
Beyond physical health, the spokesperson highlighted the substantial risk to children's mental well-being, citing widespread traumatic stress responses among the youth in Gaza. Unlike in other conflicts, children in Gaza lack the ability to seek safety, exacerbating the long-term mental health issues they face.
In the face of a rapidly spreading disease in Gaza, cases of diarrhea in children under five have surged dramatically. Reports indicate a staggering increase from an average of 2,000 cases per month before the conflict to 71,000 cases in just one week in December. The dire situation has led to a UNICEF-identified "severe food poverty" in most Gaza families, with pregnant and breastfeeding women particularly affected.
UNICEF's Executive Director, Catherine Russell, underscored the urgency of the situation, stating that children in Gaza are caught in a worsening nightmare, facing risks from violence, preventable diseases, and a lack of essential resources. The organization called for the protection of all children and civilians from violence, emphasizing the need for access to basic services and supplies.
As the Gaza Strip continues to endure the devastating consequences of the Israeli war machine, with over 22,700 deaths and countless injuries, UNICEF emphasizes the growing stain on the world's collective conscience. Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, denounced the grave violations of children's rights and called for adherence to rules even in times of conflict, stressing the imperative need for humanitarian aid to alleviate the ongoing crisis.
