The United Nations on Tuesday issued a dire warning, stating that 14,000 infants could die within 48 hours due to starvation and lack of medical access.
“No aid has been distributed in Gaza because of Israeli restrictions,” the UN maintained, painting a grim picture of the deepening humanitarian crisis.
In an interview with the BBC, UN Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher warned that up to 14,000 babies in Gaza could die within the next 48 hours unless urgent humanitarian aid is allowed in—aid that Israel continues to block.
The dire statement has sparked fresh outrage, with critics calling the crisis an act of "infanticide" and "genocide", and accusing Western allies like the US, UK, and EU of supporting Israel despite the humanitarian catastrophe.
Furthermore, at least 24 individuals were killed in overnight Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, as international pressure mounts on Tel Aviv to cease hostilities or face sanctions. The strikes came despite growing diplomatic isolation, with the United Kingdom severing ties over Israel’s continued military operations in the besieged enclave.
Also read: Israel’s midnight airstrikes kill 50 in Gaza
In a strongly worded statement, the European Union—joined by 21 member nations—condemned the bombardment and described the offensive as a “monstrous war” in the occupied territory. The rare united front is understood to reflect mounting strains between the EU bloc and Washington, after the United States withdrew its security guarantees in protest against Europe’s refusal to increase defence spending to five per cent of GDP.
The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate rapidly, with authorities accusing Israel of implementing a “starvation policy” that has claimed the lives of at least 326 Palestinians since 2 March. Humanitarian organisations have been unable to distribute aid, citing Israeli restrictions, although a limited number of aid trucks have entered the Strip.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s assault has so far killed at least 53,573 Palestinians and left 121,688 wounded. The Government Media Office has put the death toll even higher, at over 61,700, noting that thousands buried under rubble are presumed dead.
The Israeli offensive began after the Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which claimed 1,139 Israeli lives and resulted in more than 200 individuals being taken hostage.
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