The United Nations has expressed grave concern following the death of a one-month-old baby in Gaza due to hypothermia, marking the eighth such fatality in less than three weeks. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric announced that the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is deeply concerned by these preventable deaths, emphasising that they could have been avoided if aid had reached the families in need.
The ongoing hostilities between Israel and Gaza have severely exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with reports of daily civilian casualties and widespread displacement. The UN also highlighted that three attempts to deliver aid to besieged areas of North Gaza had been denied by Israeli authorities over the past several days.
The situation has been further complicated by armed looting of humanitarian aid convoys, which continues to undermine efforts to provide essential supplies. The UN is calling for the restoration of public order and the facilitation of aid, fuel, and commercial goods into Gaza.
As of the latest reports, nearly 2 million residents of Gaza have been displaced, facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies due to Israel’s ongoing military actions. Israeli airstrikes, which has led to the deaths of nearly 46,000 people, primarily women and children, continue despite international calls for a ceasefire.
