Cairo: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) called Friday for the urgent opening of all crossings to allow food aid into the Gaza Strip, warning of the risk of rising child mortality due to weak immunity. UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Perez emphasized the critical nature of the situation, highlighting a sharp rise in child mortality, not only among newborns but also among infants, who are particularly vulnerable due to weakened immunity.
According to Qatar News Agency, Perez noted that children's immunity is alarmingly low due to inadequate nutrition, with many having gone without proper food for an extended period. He stressed the importance of providing children with essential vitamins and nutrients, which are crucial for their growth and ability to withstand temperature changes or viral outbreaks.
UNICEF has identified nutrition support as a top priority, reporting that 50,000 children in the Gaza Strip are at risk of severe malnutrition and require immediate treatment. This urgent need for humanitarian aid comes amid a newly implemented ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli occupation, which took effect at noon Friday in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh. This ceasefire is part of the first phase of US President Donald Trump's initiative to end the war in the region.