UN warns Gaza faces man-made famine as Israeli blockade deepens
The United Nations says famine in Gaza is hitting children hardest. One in four is now suffering from severe malnutrition. UNICEF warned on Saturday that the number of malnourished children has tripled since March.
Nearly one-third of children in Gaza City are malnourished. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), said the crisis is not natural but “a man-made, preventable starvation.”
Famine confirmed
On Friday, the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared famine in Gaza City and nearby areas. It is the first famine declaration in the Middle East. The IPC also warned that hunger could spread to central and southern Gaza unless aid flows freely.
“As this famine is entirely man-made, it can be halted and reversed,” the IPC noted. It called for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access.
Turkey’s appeal to Melania Trump
Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan has urged Melania Trump to act for Gaza’s children. In a letter released by the Turkish presidency, she asked the US first lady to press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the crisis.
She praised Melania Trump’s earlier appeal to Vladimir Putin on behalf of Ukrainian children and expressed hope for the same compassion for Palestinians. “Your call for Gaza’s children could fulfill a historic responsibility,” Erdoğan wrote.
Starvation amid bombardment
UNRWA says it has food supplies for three months stored in Egypt and Jordan. Yet it has been unable to deliver aid for almost six months. Israeli restrictions have left warehouses full while children starve.
At least 18,885 children are among more than 62,000 Palestinians killed in nearly two years of Israel’s assault, Gaza’s Government Media Office said. UN-run schools, now shelters for hundreds of thousands, have also come under attack. “No place is safe for children in Gaza. Ceasefire now,” UNRWA said.
Global reactions
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the famine as a “moral indictment and a failure of humanity.” He accused Israel of violating international law by blocking food and medical supplies.
Israel rejected the UN-backed declaration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the IPC report “an outright lie.” Meanwhile, US envoy Mike Huckabee accused the UN of corruption and incompetence.
A preventable catastrophe
Humanitarian groups say Gaza’s famine is avoidable. Without a ceasefire and full aid access, the IPC warned, “avoidable deaths will increase exponentially.” For Gaza’s children, the crisis is worsening by the day.
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