Children Starve in Gaza as Israel Chokes Humanitarian Lifelines
The Red Cross says Gaza is on the brink of humanitarian collapse as Israel’s two-month blockade prevents critical food and medical supplies from reaching civilians, with children dying from starvation and dehydration.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is reaching catastrophic levels, with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warning that the aid system is “on the verge of total collapse.”
The statement follows Israel’s continued blockade of the enclave, now in its ninth week, during which no food, water, or medicine has entered the territory.
At least 23 children have died from severe malnutrition and dehydration in recent weeks, according to local medical sources.
“Without an immediate resumption of aid deliveries, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will not have access to the food, medicines, and life-saving supplies needed to sustain many of its programmes in Gaza,” the organization said.
Israel controls all humanitarian access to Gaza and halted aid deliveries on March 2, shortly before ending a ceasefire that had provided temporary relief after 15 months of brutal war.
“Civilians in Gaza are facing an overwhelming daily struggle to survive the dangers of hostilities, cope with relentless displacement, and endure the consequences of being deprived of urgent humanitarian assistance,” said Pascal Hundt, ICRC deputy director of operations.
“This situation must not – and cannot – be allowed to escalate further,” he added.
Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, one of the few remaining facilities offering food supplements, described severe shortages and deteriorating conditions.
International condemnation of Israel’s blockade is mounting, with European governments demanding immediate action to restore aid access.
The Irish Foreign Minister condemned the siege, calling it “completely unacceptable.”
In a post on X, he wrote: “No aid has entered Gaza in over 8 weeks. Children are starving. Hospitals are lacking basic medicine.”
“Ireland calls on Israel to lift the blockade and allow humanitarian aid in immediately,” he said.
Austria also called for the blockade to be lifted. “After two months of blockade, humanitarian aid for Gaza must be allowed to flow unhindered in accordance with international humanitarian law,” its Foreign Ministry posted on X.
The statement also urged the release of all Israeli captives held in Gaza.
