Progress in addressing malnutrition in Gaza remains precarious, with recent disruptions to the flow of commercial goods threatening to reverse gains, the United Nations children's agency UNICEF warned Friday. The agency urged that all crossings into the Palestinian enclave stay open to maintain the steady supply of essential food and aid.
On Wednesday, Israel announced it would halt the entry of commercial goods into Gaza, citing a dispute over taxes between local merchants and Hamas as the cause. This move has effectively cut off a vital source of food and other goods in a region largely dependent on humanitarian assistance following over three years of conflict, repeated population displacements, and tight Israeli controls on aid deliveries.
While a ceasefire established in October has improved humanitarian access and reduced widespread fighting, ongoing strikes, persistent displacement, and extensive destruction continue to leave civilians highly vulnerable. Speaking in Geneva, UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires stressed the necessity of predictable and continuous supply chains for both commercial and humanitarian goods. “The impact on children obviously will be felt if this situation is not resolved,” he said, emphasizing that the situation cannot revert to one where families lack necessary supplies and services.
UNICEF’s latest report highlighted that although the ceasefire enabled an increase in aid and commercial supplies, acute malnutrition remains a critical concern. The progress in mitigating famine risks confirmed by a global food security monitor in August last year was driven by a strengthened food and nutrition response, eased restrictions on aid entry, and the ceasefire. However, these advances are fragile. The report noted that only about one in three children under two meets the minimum dietary diversity, and a June UNICEF survey found chronic malnutrition affects one in eight children under five.
Additionally, UNICEF called for urgent improvements in living conditions within Gaza, where much of the infrastructure has been devastated. Approximately 800,000 to 900,000 children remain displaced, many residing in tents or unsafe buildings as winter approaches. The agency indicated that better shelter and basic services are essential to supporting a sustainable recovery for the population.
Nicolay Mladenov, the Gaza representative of the US-backed Board of Peace, condemned what he described as “threats and coercion” against merchants, calling such practices unacceptable and demanding their immediate cessation. He cautioned that interference in supply chains only exacerbates the hardships faced by Gaza's civilians.
Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration urged Israel to alleviate the “constraints” on the entry of critical supplies into Gaza. The enclave, bordered by Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea, has been under blockade even prior to the October 7, 2023 attack.
The situation underscores the delicate balance between security measures and humanitarian needs in Gaza, where sustained access to food and essential goods remains critical to preventing a worsening nutritional crisis among its vulnerable population.