Over 3,000 Palestinian children admitted with acute malnutrition, says UN report

Tel Aviv [Israel]: The UN's humanitarian affairs agency (OCHA) on Thursday updated on the dire situation in Gaza, where severe food shortages persist due to the Israeli military's continued blockade of aid entering the besieged territory, Al Jazeera reported.

Sharp rise in child malnutrition cases

According to OCHA, 3,696 Palestinian children were newly admitted for acute malnutrition in March, a steep rise compared to February’s figure of 2,027. The agency said food consumption in Gaza has "sharply deteriorated" due to the ongoing blockade now in its seventh week. Intake of essential food groups including meat, poultry, dairy, vegetables, and fruits remains critically low.

Access to water dangerously limited

The OCHA report also raised concerns about Gaza’s water crisis, calling it a “severe survival crisis” with serious public health and protection risks. "Water is essential for survival, yet access to safe water has become dangerously limited," the agency noted.

US envoy ties ceasefire to release of captives

US special envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, told Al Jazeera that a ceasefire in Gaza is only possible if Hamas releases all remaining captives. His comments come amid renewed Israeli military operations and ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

Renewed Israeli strikes kill dozens

Medical sources informed Al Jazeera that at least 35 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza since early Wednesday, with further devastating attacks reported in recent hours. The United Nations estimates that 500,000 people have been “newly displaced or uprooted once more” since Israel resumed military action on March 18.

Israel says aid ban meant to pressure Hamas

Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, defended the blockade, saying the policy of preventing humanitarian aid from entering Gaza is a “tool” to pressure Hamas.

Mounting death toll in Gaza

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that at least 51,025 Palestinians have been confirmed dead, with 116,432 injured since the war began 18 months ago. The Gaza Government Media Office puts the death toll even higher at over 61,700, noting that thousands are still missing under rubble and presumed dead.

October 7 attack and aftermath

According to Al Jazeera, the conflict was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which 1,139 people were killed and over 200 taken captive.

(With ANI Inputs)