UNICEF Closes Malnutrition Centers in Gaza Amid Escalating Humanitarian Crisis
Ongoing Israeli military operations and blockade exacerbate conditions for vulnerable populations in Gaza.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced the closure of 21 malnutrition treatment centers in the Gaza Strip, a move attributed to ongoing Israeli military operations and recent evacuation orders affecting the areas of operation for these centers.
Kazem Abu Khalaf, a spokesperson for UNICEF, stated that the centers' closures are a direct result of Israel’s renewed military actions and the deteriorating security situation in the region.
Currently, UNICEF is awaiting a report from a specialized body assessing the scale of food insecurity in Gaza, aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of the worsening conditions.
These closures come during a period described as an unprecedented humanitarian emergency in Gaza, exacerbated by Israel's ongoing blockade that has severely restricted the flow of aid into the enclave.
UNICEF reported that Israeli authorities have blocked all crossings into Gaza for 35 consecutive days, significantly impeding the entry of essential supplies including food, medical provisions, and nutritional supplements.
On Saturday, UNICEF highlighted the gravity of the situation, indicating that more than one million children in Gaza have been deprived of life-saving humanitarian assistance for over a month.
The organization has condemned the blockade as a violation of international humanitarian law, noting its devastating implications for children and other vulnerable populations.
Despite having thousands of aid parcels prepared for immediate distribution, UNICEF revealed it has faced obstacles that have hindered access.
It reported a critical shortage of food supplies for infants, stating that current stocks of ready-to-use infant milk are able to sustain only 400 children for one month.
The crisis in Gaza has escalated significantly since the renewal of hostilities in March, following the end of a temporary ceasefire that had been in effect earlier this year.
The conflict, which escalated further with the outbreak of hostilities involving Israel and Hamas in October 2023, has left the region’s infrastructure severely damaged and has resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians.
Aid agencies continue to warn of impending famine and the potential collapse of basic health services unless humanitarian access is urgently restored.
Kazem Abu Khalaf, a spokesperson for UNICEF, stated that the centers' closures are a direct result of Israel’s renewed military actions and the deteriorating security situation in the region.
Currently, UNICEF is awaiting a report from a specialized body assessing the scale of food insecurity in Gaza, aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of the worsening conditions.
These closures come during a period described as an unprecedented humanitarian emergency in Gaza, exacerbated by Israel's ongoing blockade that has severely restricted the flow of aid into the enclave.
UNICEF reported that Israeli authorities have blocked all crossings into Gaza for 35 consecutive days, significantly impeding the entry of essential supplies including food, medical provisions, and nutritional supplements.
On Saturday, UNICEF highlighted the gravity of the situation, indicating that more than one million children in Gaza have been deprived of life-saving humanitarian assistance for over a month.
The organization has condemned the blockade as a violation of international humanitarian law, noting its devastating implications for children and other vulnerable populations.
Despite having thousands of aid parcels prepared for immediate distribution, UNICEF revealed it has faced obstacles that have hindered access.
It reported a critical shortage of food supplies for infants, stating that current stocks of ready-to-use infant milk are able to sustain only 400 children for one month.
The crisis in Gaza has escalated significantly since the renewal of hostilities in March, following the end of a temporary ceasefire that had been in effect earlier this year.
The conflict, which escalated further with the outbreak of hostilities involving Israel and Hamas in October 2023, has left the region’s infrastructure severely damaged and has resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians.
Aid agencies continue to warn of impending famine and the potential collapse of basic health services unless humanitarian access is urgently restored.
