Written by Alice Njoki
The war in the Gaza Strip has caused a severe humanitarian crisis and children are suffering the most. Fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian groups has led to thousands of deaths, injuries, and the destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals. Since October 2023, over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 118,000 injured, including many children.
After a brief ceasefire in January 2025, violence increased again in March. On March 2, Israel imposed a total blockade on Gaza, stopping all food, fuel, medicine and humanitarian aid from entering. This blockade has lasted for over two months, causing supplies to run out and leaving children without enough to eat or drink. Hospitals are overwhelmed and running out of medicine with only half still partly working.
More than 70,000 children have been hospitalized due to severe malnutrition and at least 23 children in northern Gaza have died from malnutrition and dehydration in recent weeks.
Children are the most vulnerable group, Nearly 290,000 children are on the brink of death and more than 3,500 children under five face imminent death by starvation. More than one in three children under two years old in northern Gaza suffers from acute malnutrition.
Aid organizations report children arriving at clinics with extremely low weight, fatigue and other illnesses linked to hunger. Over half a million children are just a step away from famine, experiencing an extreme lack of food, starvation, and exhaustion of coping capacities.
The blockade and fighting have forced about 1.9 million people, which is 90% of Gaza’s population-to leave their homes and live in crowded shelters or outside, often without enough food, water or safe places to stay. Most buildings in Gaza, including homes and schools, have been damaged and destroyed, making daily life even harder for children.
Aid organizations and the United Nations have tried to send help, but most aid convoys have been blocked or delayed. The UN says that under international law, Israel must allow relief to reach people in need, but the ongoing siege has made this nearly impossible. The lack of food and medical care has led to warnings that famine could soon occur, especially in northern Gaza, where aid has not arrived for weeks.
The crisis has also affected aid workers, with over 290 UN staff killed since the war began, and many others detained or unable to work safely. In the West Bank, violence and restrictions have also increased, causing more hardship for Palestinian children.
The war in Gaza has created what the UN calls one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history, with children facing hunger, sickness, and constant danger from ongoing attacks. Even if aid arrives, experts warn that the effects of malnutrition may cause lifelong health problems for Gaza’s children.