While President Trump approves $30 million in funding to Gaza aid foundation, 66 children have already died from malnutrition as Israeli blockade prevents legitimate humanitarian assistance from reaching desperate civilians.
Key Takeaways
- At least 66 children have died from malnutrition in Gaza, with Gaza officials accusing Israel of deliberately using starvation as a weapon against civilians
- The Trump administration has allocated $30 million to the controversial “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” (GHF), which humanitarian organizations condemn for violating aid principles
- UNICEF reports 112 children daily are being admitted for malnutrition treatment in 2025, with over 5,000 diagnosed in June alone
- Israeli forces have reportedly killed over 550 civilians at GHF distribution points, with troops allegedly ordered to fire on unarmed aid seekers
- Gaza’s Government Media Office has labeled the blockade a “war crime” and called for urgent international intervention to open crossings for food and medical supplies
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Malnutrition Claims Children’s Lives
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels with at least 66 children confirmed dead from malnutrition, a direct consequence of Israel’s tightened blockade preventing essential supplies from reaching civilians. According to multiple reports, Gaza’s health system faces severe shortages of medicines, medical supplies, and fuel, rendering it incapable of addressing the rapidly deteriorating situation. The Government Media Office in Gaza has explicitly accused Israel of weaponizing starvation against the civilian population, particularly targeting children in what they describe as a deliberate strategy.
UNICEF has documented an alarming surge in child malnutrition cases, with 16,736 children admitted for treatment since the beginning of 2025—averaging 112 children daily. June alone saw over 5,000 children between six months and five years diagnosed with malnutrition, representing a dramatic increase from previous months. Of particular concern are 636 children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), a life-threatening condition requiring urgent medical intervention that is simply unavailable under current conditions.
Trump Administration’s Controversial Aid Approach
President Trump’s administration has announced $30 million in funding to the “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” (GHF), an organization established by the Israeli military that has drawn sharp criticism from international humanitarian groups. Rather than supporting established aid channels, this funding flows to an entity that many relief organizations, including the UN and Doctors Without Borders, have condemned for operating in ways that violate fundamental humanitarian principles. The GHF’s distribution methods have reportedly led to violence against civilians seeking aid.
“In just 150 days, from the start of the year until the end of May, 16,736 children—an average of 112 children a day—have been admitted for treatment for malnutrition in the Gaza Strip. … Every one of these cases is preventable. The food, water, and nutrition treatments they desperately need are being blocked from reaching them. Man-made decisions that are costing lives,” stated UNICEF Regional Director Edouard Beigbeder.
Reports from Israeli newspaper Haaretz indicate that Israeli troops were ordered to open fire on unarmed Palestinians seeking food aid, with over 550 civilians reportedly killed at GHF distribution points. Critics suggest the GHF’s operations are primarily focused in southern Gaza as part of a strategy to lure northern residents southward for potential expulsion under a broader annexation plan. This approach aligns with statements from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who outlined a plan for Gaza’s destruction and population displacement.
In a statement, the Government Media Office in #Gaza said that at least 66 children have died due to malnutrition in the Strip.
The Office cited the excruciating Israeli blockade as the cause of these deaths, with all crossings into Gaza still shut down, thus barring the entry… pic.twitter.com/EzBFxrg8KI
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 28, 2025
Systematic Blockade Creating Preventable Tragedy
Gaza officials specifically point to Israel’s closure of border crossings and bans on baby formula and nutritional supplements as direct causes of the malnutrition crisis. Dr. Marwan Al-Hams reports that 56 percent of pregnant women in Gaza now suffer from malnutrition, contributing to high neonatal and maternal mortality rates. The blockade has created a situation where malnutrition, previously rare in Gaza, has become widespread in just 20 months, indicating the manufactured nature of this humanitarian disaster.
“This conduct constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity, and reveals the deliberate use by the Israeli occupation of starvation as a weapon to exterminate civilians, particularly children, in blatant violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions,” stated The Government Media Office in Gaza.
UNICEF has noted a 50% increase in malnutrition cases from April and a staggering 150% increase from February, highlighting the rapidly accelerating crisis. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the situation, stating that people are “being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families” and that “the search for food must never be a death sentence.” Meanwhile, Israeli attacks have intensified, with reports of at least 60 Palestinians killed in recent strikes, including 20 in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood.
International Accountability Called Into Question
Gaza officials have not only condemned Israel for the blockade but have also held the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany responsible for their support of policies that have led to this crisis. Chris Doyle from the Council for Arab-British Understanding has criticized the GHF’s aid distribution methods as fundamentally violating humanitarian principles. Despite international law prohibiting the use of starvation as a weapon of war, effective intervention to ensure aid delivery has been notably absent.
“It is killing people. … People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families. The search for food must never be a death sentence,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The Gaza Government Media Office has called for urgent international intervention to open crossings and allow food and medical supplies into Gaza. As malnutrition cases continue to rise and more children die from preventable causes, the question of international accountability becomes increasingly pressing. The situation represents not just a humanitarian crisis but a moral test for Western nations that claim to uphold international law and human rights while continuing to support policies that contribute to civilian suffering.
