The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that delivering aid and supplies to children in Gaza is a life-or-death matter.

In a press statement, UNICEF highlighted the dire situation for newborns and children with medical conditions, who are especially vulnerable. It also noted that the lack of adequate shelter amid freezing winter temperatures poses a severe threat to children’s survival.

Recent weeks have seen the tragic deaths of eight children and a Palestinian nurse due to the harsh cold. The escalating crisis has been exacerbated by the destruction of homes by Israeli forces, forcing thousands of displaced families to live in tents.

The ongoing genocide in Gaza, now entering its 15th month, has created unbearable conditions for its most vulnerable residents, with fears mounting that fatalities will continue to rise if urgent action is not taken.