The United Nations’ humanitarian chief has issued a stark warning that up to 14,000 babies could die in Gaza within 48 hours unless life-saving aid is urgently allowed into the territory.
Speaking to the BBC on Monday morning, Tom Fletcher, the UN's top humanitarian official, described the situation as “catastrophic”, calling the delivery of five aid trucks earlier this week “a drop in the ocean” compared to the desperate needs of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
His comments come as the World Health Organization’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned that more than 2 million people in the enclave are facing starvation. “Tonnes of food are blocked at the border while people are starving inside Gaza,” he said.
The international outcry against Israel's blockade and military actions continues to mount. On Sunday, the leaders of the UK, France, and Canada issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s “egregious actions” in Gaza and warned of coordinated diplomatic consequences if such actions persist.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has ordered residents of Khan Younis to “evacuate immediately” ahead of what it described as an “unprecedented attack” targeting Hamas infrastructure. Thousands of Palestinians have reportedly begun fleeing the area in anticipation.
A UN-backed report released this week estimated that one in five people in Gaza are already facing starvation. In a statement on Monday, the UN warned: “Everyone in Gaza is hungry. Without immediate action, nearly a quarter of the population could be pushed into famine. Food aid must be allowed into Gaza now to prevent a catastrophe.”
Responding to growing international pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel would resume the entry of a “basic quantity” of food into Gaza. However, on Monday, he strongly rebuked the UK, France, and Canada for their criticism, urging them instead to support Israel’s stance, citing former US President Donald Trump’s approach.
On the ground, the humanitarian toll continues to rise. Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that at least 44 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Tuesday. Al Jazeera said one of the targets was a pharmaceutical laboratory. Hundreds of people, many of them women and children, have died in the past week as the intensity of Israel’s military campaign escalates.
The conflict has now entered a critical phase, with the UN and aid agencies urging immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to prevent what they describe as a looming famine and a devastating loss of civilian life.
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