The United Nations issued a dire warning on Tuesday, stating that approximately 14,000 babies in the Gaza Strip could die within the next 48 hours if immediate humanitarian aid is not delivered.

Speaking from UN headquarters, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, stressed the severity of the crisis, urging the international community to act swiftly. “Fourteen thousand babies are at risk of dying within 48 hours if humanitarian teams cannot reach them in time,” Fletcher said, according to a statement published on the official UN website.

Fletcher highlighted that UN humanitarian teams remain actively engaged on the ground, working in overwhelmed medical centers and shelters such as schools to assess urgent needs and deliver support. He called for an immediate and massive influx of aid to prevent a catastrophic loss of life.

“The situation is beyond critical,” he warned. “We must flood Gaza with food, medicine, and emergency supplies—without delay. These children don’t have days. They have hours.”

The warning comes amid ongoing challenges in securing safe access for aid convoys and medical teams, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens with each passing day. The UN continues to call on all parties to ensure unimpeded access for relief efforts to reach the most vulnerable, especially infants and young children at risk of malnutrition and disease. (ILKHA)