Lifesaving food for starving children in Gaza to run out by mid-August, warn UN agencies
UNICEF spokesperson Salim Oweis said only enough supplies remain to treat 3,000 children, even as 5,000 were treated in just the first half of July. 'That's really dangerous,' he told Reuters, stressing the looming health crisis.
RUTF, including high-energy biscuits and milk-enriched peanut paste, is critical for saving lives. Supplies could run out completely by mid-August, while the World Health Organization said most stock had already been consumed and remaining supplies would run out 'very soon.'
A nutrition programme targeting pregnant women and children under five also faces shutdown. Aid groups like Save the Children said they haven't been able to bring in their own supplies since February and are depending on UN deliveries.
From April to mid-July, 20,504 children were admitted for acute malnutrition in Gaza, including over 3,200 in severe condition—nearly triple the figures from earlier this year.
Gaza's food supply has been strained since Israel's March blockade. Though partially lifted in May, severe restrictions remain. COGAT, the Israeli agency overseeing aid, says it's working with humanitarian partners to improve access.
So far this year, at least 21 children under five and 113 Palestinians overall have died of starvation, with most deaths occurring in recent weeks.
Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas are likely to resume next week after Israel reviews the latest response from the Palestinian militant group, Egypt's Al Qahera News TV reported on Friday, citing an unnamed official source.
According to the state-affiliated outlet, the Israeli delegation departed the talks a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled his negotiating team for internal consultations.
The United States, a key player in the negotiations, also pulled its delegation on Thursday. US envoy Steve Witkoff accused Hamas of failing to engage sincerely in the talks.
In response, Hamas expressed surprise at the US remarks, stating that its latest position had been positively received by mediators and had created an opening for a comprehensive agreement.
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