Israel's 70-Day Gaza Blockade Leaves 65,000 Children at Risk, UN Warns of 'Annihilation'

Israel's ongoing blockade of Gaza, now in its third month, has severely exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region. The blockade, which began on March 2, has halted the entry of essential supplies, including food, fuel, and medicine, leading to the closure of community kitchens and the depletion of aid stocks. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that 70% of Gaza's population is now living in areas under Israeli military control or displacement orders, further complicating aid distribution. The World Central Kitchen, a leading aid group, was forced to shut down its soup kitchens across Gaza due to the lack of supplies, with its warehouses now empty. This closure has left thousands without access to meals, as the organization could no longer prepare food. The blockade has also led to the deaths of at least 57 people, mostly children, from starvation over the past two months, according to local reports. Over 65,000 children are now at risk of starvation, and the blockade has prevented the entry of 37,400 trucks carrying aid and fuel, affecting over two million Palestinians. UN agencies and international organizations have condemned the blockade, with UN experts warning of a potential 'annihilation' of the Palestinian population in Gaza. The blockade has been described as a form of collective punishment and a violation of international law. Calls for immediate humanitarian access and a lasting ceasefire have been made, with the UN Committee on Racial Discrimination specifically urging for action to prevent catastrophic consequences for civilians. UNRWA, with over 10,000 staff in Gaza, has more than 3,000 aid trucks stuck outside the territory due to the 70-day blockade. The situation has been further aggravated by the closure of UN-run schools in East Jerusalem by Israeli forces, displacing 550 students. This has been criticized as an assault on education and children. The blockade has also impacted healthcare, with hospitals in Gaza facing severe shortages of fuel and medical supplies, with fuel reserves expected to last only three more days. Kidney dialysis patients are among the most affected, and the lack of polio vaccines has put 600,000 children at risk.