United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, has warned that approximately 14,000 babies are at risk of dying in the Gaza Strip within 48 hours if humanitarian aid does not reach them.
Fletcher, in a statement described by multiple outlets as “urgent and grave,” called the figure “utterly chilling” and stressed that immediate international action is required to prevent mass child deaths. “We must flood the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid,” he urged.
According to The Guardian, the warning comes as Gaza enters its 11th week under an Israeli-imposed blockade.
Only five trucks carrying baby formula and nutritional supplements were reportedly allowed in on Monday, but the UN says those supplies have yet to reach affected communities.
“This is a drop in the ocean,” Fletcher was quoted as saying, emphasising the urgency of scaling up aid deliveries.
The Times of Israel reports that two million Gazans are facing starvation as food shipments remain stalled at the border. The WHO has backed these concerns, warning of a rapidly deteriorating situation.
A joint statement from the UK, France, and Canada condemned Israel’s actions as “disproportionate,” warning of possible sanctions unless access for humanitarian aid is restored.
“I want to save as many of these 14,000 babies as we can in the next 48 hours,” Fletcher told the press, a statement that has since intensified global appeals for immediate relief operations in the besieged territory.