UNRWA warns Palestinian Children’s Lives in Danger as Israel Continues to Block Thousands of Aid Trucks
The United Nations’ agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) on Thursday warned that the lives of one million aid-dependent children are “in danger” as Israel continues to block humanitarian aid into Gaza for the 61st consecutive day.
Israel has prevented all aid, including food, medicine and fuel, from entering Gaza since 2 March, in a move that has been condemned by international bodies, rights groups and states, including some of Israel’s Western allies.
“Nearly 3,000 UNRWA trucks with lifesaving supplies are waiting outside #Gaza. But the siege blocking their entry continues,” read a post on UNRWA’s X account.
“1 million children depend on aid, and without it, their lives are in danger. The crossings must reopen, and the siege must be lifted.”
On Wednesday, the UN’s humanitarian office reported that the number of children being treated for malnutrition in Gaza rose by 80 percent in April compared to the previous month. OCHA added that 92 percent of babies aged six months to two years and their mothers had not received he minimum required nutrition.
Israel’s blocking of aid to Gaza is currently under scrutiny at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) where hearings on its obligations as an occupying power are into a fourth day.
UNRWA is the largest provider of aid to Palestinian refugees, including in Gaza, and was established after the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homeland in 1948. Israel has long opposed UNRWA, while also obstructing the ending of refugee status for over 5 million Palestinians by preventing their right of return.
The United States on Wednesday argued at The Hague that Israel cannot be forced to allow UNRWA to operate in Gaza, after banning the agency’s operations. Israel has accused the agency, without providing evidence, of employing Hamas members who allegedly participated in the 7 October attacks.
Hamas urges action on Labour Day
Hamas on Wednesday called for International Workers’ Day to be used as a platform to escalate anti-Israel boycotts and to apply pressure for an end to Israel’s war on Gaza.
“We call on the masses of our Arab and Islamic nation, and the free people of the world, to continue the global popular movement on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, in support of and in solidarity with Gaza,” Hamas said.
The group urged marches and rallies in major cities, and called on trade unions to make Labour Day “an international day of effective action, in which voices are raised loudly against Zionist aggression and criminality”.
