UNICEF: One million children in Gaza are at risk of death due to the blockade of humanitarian aid.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that over a million children in Gaza have been deprived of vital humanitarian aid for over a month. This was stated in a release on Saturday, April 5, noting the longest period of aid blockade since the conflict began, with no humanitarian aid allowed in since March 2, 2025. The statement highlighted a severe crisis in providing essentials like food, clean water, shelter, and medical supplies. UNICEF warned of serious consequences if the situation persists, including a notable rise in malnutrition and preventable diseases, potentially leading to increased child mortality. Edward Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, emphasized the urgent need to distribute the available humanitarian aid, stressing that delays pose serious risks. He stated that withholding life-saving aid violates international humanitarian law, with grave implications for children's lives. UNICEF pointed out that the aid blockade has reached a critical stage, with infant milk supplies only sufficient for 400 children for one month, putting malnourished children at imminent risk. Beigbeder concluded by urging authorities to fulfill their legal and international obligations towards over a million children in Gaza, ensuring the provision of basic necessities such as food, medicine, and other essential items for survival.