UNICEF: Acute malnutrition threatens nearly 10,000 children in Gaza

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) announced today, Saturday, that approximately 9,300 cases of acute malnutrition have been recorded among children under the age of five in the Gaza Strip during October, warning of the worsening humanitarian situation as winter approaches and food supplies dwindle.

The organization stated in a statement that the high levels of malnutrition "endanger children's lives," noting that winter increases the risks of diseases and mortality rates among the most vulnerable groups.

It clarified that nutrition screenings have shown a sharp rise in cases of food insecurity, amid shortages of basic supplies and rising prices of animal-source foods, making them unaffordable for the majority of the population in the sector.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell added that "thousands of children under five continue to suffer from acute malnutrition, while many lack adequate shelter, sanitation, and protection from the cold," emphasizing that "hunger, disease, and harsh weather conditions put the lives of Gaza's children at risk."

The organization stated that large quantities of winter supplies remain stuck at the Gaza borders and called for aid to be delivered "safely, quickly, and without obstacles," urging the simultaneous opening of all crossings to expedite the flow of relief, including from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank.

This comes at a time when a low-pressure system last week damaged 22,000 tents for displaced persons, leaving more than 288,000 families without protection from the cold and rain, according to the government media office in Gaza.

The sector needs about 300,000 tents and prefabricated housing units to secure the basic shelter needs, amid widespread destruction caused by the ongoing war with Israel since October 2023.

In this context, Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), stated that UN staff and facilities continue to be targeted despite the ceasefire agreement.

He explained that an Israeli helicopter bombed a UNRWA school playground in Jabalia on November 24, and armed individuals fired at a team from the UN Office for Project Services in Deir al-Balah on the 25th of the same month, with no injuries reported.

Laerke stressed the need to respect international humanitarian law, which ensures the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, relief convoys, and civilian infrastructure, adding, "These attacks put UN staff and our partners from international organizations at serious risk and complicate life-saving efforts."

Israel continues to violate the ceasefire agreement signed with Hamas, having recorded approximately 497 violations since October 10, resulting in the martyrdom of more than 342 Palestinians, according to government data in Gaza.