Tragedy in Gaza: 66 Children Dead from Starvation as UNICEF Warns of Escalating Crisis

Palestinian health authorities have reported that at least 66 children in Gaza have died due to malnutrition since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. This devastating toll underscores the catastrophic humanitarian crisis gripping the region, with children bearing the brunt of the suffering caused by Israel’s stringent blockade of Gaza.

On Sunday, June 29, 2025, Al Jazeera cited local officials stating that the blockade, intensified since March 2, 2025, has severely restricted the entry of critical supplies, including infant formula, nutritional supplements, and humanitarian aid. This has drastically limited families’ access to food and medical services, deepening the crisis. The Palestinian Authority’s media office labeled the situation a “war crime,” accusing Israel of using starvation as a deliberate weapon against civilians, particularly children. The office condemned the international community’s “shameful silence” in the face of what it described as the “gradual death of children,” urging immediate action to halt the catastrophe.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sounded the alarm, reporting that from January to May 2024, over 16,000 children in Gaza were diagnosed with malnutrition. UNICEF warned that without urgent intervention, this number could rise dramatically, as the ongoing blockade has made access to food and healthcare nearly impossible. The agency emphasized that Gaza’s children are at severe risk of death from starvation and related diseases, describing the situation as a rapidly escalating humanitarian disaster.

The blockade has not only restricted food supplies but also crippled essential infrastructure, including hospitals and water systems. The lack of clean drinking water and the spread of infectious diseases have further worsened conditions for children. Human rights advocates and international organizations have repeatedly called for the blockade to be lifted and for safe corridors to deliver humanitarian aid, but little progress has been made.

This crisis has drawn global attention to the dire circumstances faced by Gaza’s civilians. Aid organizations and activists are pressing for international pressure on Israel to end the blockade and ensure the delivery of life-saving assistance. Without swift and decisive action, thousands more children face the risk of death, and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza could spiral further out of control, leaving an indelible mark on the region’s future.