The Gaza Strip is facing a worsening humanitarian disaster as water infrastructure collapses, leaving children at extreme risk of dehydration, UNICEF warned on Friday.
“Children will begin to die of thirst,” said UNICEF spokesperson James Elder at a press briefing in Geneva, noting that only 40% of Gaza’s drinking water production facilities remain operational (Reuters).
Only 13, he lost his life trying to get food for his family.
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) June 20, 2025
Earlier this week, we were devastated to learn that Abed Al Rahman died from injuries sustained during a food distribution in Gaza.
Dehydration. Hunger. Indiscriminate attacks. Gaza's children face the unthinkable… pic.twitter.com/jHUV1yyQVp
The warning comes amid a dramatic spike in malnutrition. According to UNICEF-supported nutrition centers, over 5,000 children were diagnosed with malnutrition in May — nearly 50% more than in April and up 150% since February, when a ceasefire allowed more aid to flow into the territory.
The agency says the crisis is entirely avoidable and blames ongoing restrictions on humanitarian access and damage to critical infrastructure. UNICEF is calling for immediate, safe, and sustained humanitarian aid access to prevent mass child deaths.
