• UN warns every child under five in Gaza is at risk of malnutrition.
• An average of 28 children are killed daily due to ongoing violence.
• Over 60,000 Palestinians, including thousands of children, have died since October 2023.

The United Nations has declared that every child under five in Gaza is at risk of life-threatening malnourishment, as the region grapples with a severe humanitarian crisis exacerbated by an ongoing Israeli blockade. Approximately 320,000 children are affected, facing a shortage of safe water, food, and medical care, leading to a rise in malnutrition-related deaths, including six reported fatalities within a recent 24-hour period, according to Al Jazeera.

Since the escalation of violence on October 7, 2023, Gaza has witnessed an average of 28 children killed each day, resulting in at least 18,592 child fatalities, which UNICEF identified as a major concern, calling Gaza the "most dangerous place in the world to be a child." The organization emphasized that these deaths stem from bombardments, malnutrition, and a lack of urgent humanitarian aid, as well as ongoing fighting between Israel and Palestinian groups, according to TRT and TRT.

The dire circumstances have pushed Gaza's health and sanitation infrastructure to its limits, leading to severe shortages of essential supplies. Families are unable to provide adequate nutrition for their children, as evidenced by the multiple cases of starvation-related deaths, which now exceed 180 individuals, including many children. The Gaza Health Ministry has reported a marked increase in cases of acute soft paralysis due to malnutrition, citing ongoing difficulties stemming from the blockade and lack of aid, according to Al Jazeera.

UNICEF has urged for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering experienced by children in Gaza. The organization's posts highlight the urgent need for food, clean water, and medical supplies to prevent further escalation in child fatalities and malnutrition cases. However, despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel's military operations continue, causing widespread devastation to the enclave, according to AA and Al Jazeera.