The crisis has been ongoing since October 6, when Israeli forces declared the area a “closed military zone.”
The organization stated that supplies of food, water, and medicine have been almost entirely cut off for children and families living in northern Gaza and nearby governorates. An independent body, the Famine Review Committee, has confirmed that famine in these areas is “either imminent or likely to occur.” This assessment comes amid United Nations warnings that the entire population in northern Gaza is “at risk of death.”
Despite these urgent warnings, Save the Children reported that Israeli forces have “repeatedly refused” attempts by relief organizations to deliver aid to the area. For over seven weeks, the organization has been unable to provide critical supplies, including food parcels for 5,000 families and 725 hygiene kits. Medical supplies have also been completely halted, with no recent vaccinations reaching about 10,000 children in Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun.
Many families remain unable to escape the region due to elderly or disabled relatives or a lack of safe alternatives elsewhere in Gaza. Parents have described the situation as unbearable. Save the Children quoted Ruba, a mother of two, who shared her harrowing experience:
“I am trapped with my children under relentless bombs, rockets, and gunfire, with nowhere to escape. My mother is paralyzed, and I cannot leave her behind. My brother was killed, and my husband was captured; I don’t know if he is alive. Our home was destroyed above our heads, and we survived by a miracle.”
Ruba also described the worsening health conditions among her children: “We have been without food, no clean water, and live in constant fear. My children have developed rashes, and my daughter is bleeding, but there is no medicine, no help, and I cannot do anything at all.”
The United Nations has reported that approximately 44% of the casualties in Gaza are children. Jeremy Stoner, the regional director for Save the Children, described the situation as catastrophic:
“The situation in northern Gaza is not suitable for human life. Yet, we know that there are about 130,000 children under the age of ten trapped in these conditions. The war in Gaza is a war on children.”
Humanitarian organizations and international bodies have repeatedly called for immediate access to northern Gaza to deliver life-saving aid. However, the continued blockade has left countless families on the brink of starvation, disease, and death. Save the Children has urged all parties involved to prioritize the safety and well-being of children caught in the conflict. (ILKHA)