UN Warns 14,000 Babies in Gaza May Die Within 48 Hours
The United Nations has issued a stark warning that up to 14,000 babies in Gaza are at risk of dying within the next 48 hours due to the acute lack of humanitarian aid. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said the situation on the ground has become “catastrophic,” with the lives of thousands of infants and their mothers hanging in the balance.
“There are 14,000 babies that will die in the next 48 hours unless we can reach them,” Fletcher stated, underscoring the urgency of delivering baby food, medical supplies, and other essentials. On Monday, only five aid trucks entered Gaza with supplies—described by the UN as a “drop in the ocean” compared to the needs of the population.
Blockade Worsens Gaza’s Humanitarian Collapse
The humanitarian crisis is a direct result of an 11-week Israeli blockade that has drastically reduced aid flow into Gaza. While approximately 100 trucks were recently allowed in, UN officials emphasized that this is far below the pre-conflict average of 500 trucks per day.
The blockade has caused severe shortages of food, water, and medicine. Hospitals and medical facilities are either non-functional or overwhelmed, many of them damaged by airstrikes. Over 53,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict escalated in October 2023, according to humanitarian groups, with tens of thousands more injured and displaced.
International Condemnation Mounts
Governments across the globe have condemned the deteriorating situation. The United Kingdom, France, and Canada have issued a joint statement criticizing Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian access and have warned of consequences if aid is not allowed to flow freely.
Meanwhile, the European Union is reportedly reassessing its trade relations with Israel. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas referred to the Gaza crisis as “untenable” and suggested the bloc may consider policy changes if the situation does not improve soon.
Urgent Call for Humanitarian Intervention
UN agencies and humanitarian organizations are now calling for immediate and unhindered access to Gaza to deliver life-saving aid. Efforts are being made to organize additional convoys with baby food, water, and medicines. However, logistical barriers and continued hostilities make the relief process perilously slow.
The warning from the United Nations has once again highlighted the deepening crisis in Gaza, where thousands of babies now face death from hunger and dehydration. Without urgent international intervention, the region could witness a preventable tragedy of staggering proportions.
