Israel has been blocking all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza for the past three months in an effort to pressure Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages and agree to extend the ceasefire deal. While some humanitarian personnel have been permitted to enter and exit Gaza for relief efforts, reports indicate that critical supplies like water, food, medicine, and medical equipment are running low. Aid workers warn that children are becoming malnourished, diseases are spreading, and proper medical care is lacking. Without urgent intervention, preventable deaths among children are likely to increase. Plans are being discussed to establish distribution sites for humanitarian aid in Gaza, but the lack of food availability is already a major concern for the population. Families are struggling to afford basic necessities, and examples like a malnourished baby girl named Siwar highlight the dire situation facing many in Gaza.
We identified it as one of the most severe instances of malnutrition. Siwar is currently in a critical situation.”Similarly, Crickx, from UNICEF Palestine, who is presently in Al Mawasi in southern Gaza, mentioned that during his recent visit to Nasser Hospital, he met a 4-year-old boy named Osama. According to Crickx, Osama’s weight should be between 15 to 16 kilograms, equivalent to about 33 to 35 pounds. Sadly, Osama only weighs 8 kilograms, which is about 17.5 pounds. Crickx explained that although UNICEF and its partners possess a limited supply of therapeutic foods to address malnutrition, these supplies are running low. UNICEF has already depleted its stock of food intended to address initial signs of malnutrition.”Osama is extremely malnourished, with his bones clearly visible, despite being healthy before the onset of this devastating conflict,” Crickx expressed. “We are now witnessing a heartbreaking situation where children are gradually succumbing to acute malnutrition. If immediate action is not taken, we fear the worst outcome for them.”Community kitchen staff informed ABC News that if the border crossings remain closed, markets will shut down and food supplies will dwindle. Some food assistance organizations have already ceased operations.In late April, the World Food Programme of the United Nations reported that it had distributed its final food reserves to hot meal kitchens in Gaza and anticipated a complete depletion of food supplies in the near future. Furthermore, the nonprofit organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) declared that it had run out of essential supplies and ingredients required for cooking meals or baking bread in Gaza.WCK disclosed that they have trucks loaded with food and cooking fuel ready to enter Gaza since early March, along with additional food and equipment set to be shipped from Jordan and Egypt.”Despite our efforts in recent weeks to make the most of every remaining ingredient and fuel source through creative means, including using alternative fuels like wood pallets and olive husk pellets, and changing recipes to conserve fuel, we have reached a point where further action is no longer feasible,” WCK stated.
Serious complications can arise for infants and young children due to the lack of vaccines in Gaza, leading to a rise in vaccine-preventable diseases such as hepatitis A, chickenpox, measles, and polio. The blockade imposed by Israel has hindered the delivery of vaccines to Gaza, leaving residents vulnerable to diseases. Despite the challenging conditions, with a population of 2 million people, pregnant women and newborns continue to require vaccinations. Hospitals are facing shortages of medical supplies to treat the injured, as a result of the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Thousands have been killed or injured since the conflict began, with efforts to minimize civilian casualties underway. Following a ceasefire agreement, more aid was able to reach those in need, but hostilities resumed in mid-March, resulting in a surge of injuries. UNICEF reports that over 500 children have been killed and more than 1,250 children have been injured since March 18. Burn injuries are common, with many caused by fires due to the lack of cooking gas, resulting in difficulties healing and increased risk of infections. Hospitals are struggling with shortages of essential medical supplies, such as anesthetics and anticoagulants, leading to the need for rationing medications.
The healthcare workers in Gaza faced a shortage of painkillers, antibiotics, and critical surgical supplies. They had to conduct painful procedures and dressing changes without pain relief, risking infections for patients. The situation forced them to make difficult decisions, such as removing dressings without proper pain control. One healthcare worker expressed frustration at the lack of essential resources nearby, while they struggled to provide care without necessary supplies. The impact of two months without aid in Gaza has left malnourished children and depleted hospital resources. This report was contributed by ABC News’ Shannon Kingston and Diaa Ostaz.
