Gaza: A devastating humanitarian crisis continues to unfold in Gaza, where a four-year-old Palestinian boy, Mohammed Yassine, has died from starvation. His death comes as the United Nations and humanitarian organizations raise alarms about acute malnutrition affecting tens of thousands of children in the besieged enclave.
The World Food Programme has warned that more than 70,000 children in Gaza are facing severe levels of hunger, with aid deliveries insufficient to meet even basic nutritional needs.
The child’s death occurred amid continued Israeli bombardment across Gaza, with recent airstrikes targeting civilian areas. One of the most harrowing attacks reportedly killed nine of the ten children belonging to Dr. Alaa al-Najjar in Khan Younis. Israeli military officials have stated they are "reviewing" the incident, while Palestinian officials have condemned the repeated targeting of children, describing the killings as a disturbing pattern that reflects a disregard for civilian life.
Since Wednesday, only 100 aid trucks have been permitted by Israel to enter Gaza, a number far below what humanitarian agencies say is required to assist the two million people trapped in the enclave. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated that Israel continues to block the entry of essential humanitarian aid, worsening the already dire conditions for families facing food and medical shortages.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the ongoing Israeli offensive has killed at least 53,901 Palestinians and wounded over 122,593. However, the Government Media Office has updated the death toll to more than 61,700, noting that many of the thousands still buried under rubble are presumed dead. The Israeli assault follows the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed an estimated 1,139 people and led to more than 200 individuals being taken captive.
The war, now in its seventh month, has resulted in an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. The background of the conflict traces back to long-standing tensions between Israel and Hamas, exacerbated by the blockade imposed on Gaza and the lack of a political resolution. The international community continues to call for ceasefire and unrestricted aid access, but as conditions worsen and children continue to die of starvation, the urgency for intervention grows ever more critical.
