14,000 babies could die in 48 hours in Gaza: UN warns

The United Nations (UN) humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, has warned that 14,000 babies in Gaza could die within 48 hours if aid shipments do not reach the region.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Fletcher emphasised that thousands of trucks carrying essential supplies, including baby food and nutritional aid, are ready for delivery.

Officials in Gaza say that at least 326 Palestinians have died from hunger since March 2 due to what they call Israel’s “starvation policy.” The UN has also warned that 14,000 babies could die within the next 48 hours if help does not arrive.

European nations increase pressure on Israel to halt Gaza onslaught

The European Union on Tuesday said it would review its trade
cooperation deal with Israel over alleged human rights abuses brought about by the Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

In London, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in parliament that Israel’s policy of blocking aid and “expanding the war” in Gaza was “indefensible”.

European countries ramped up pressure on Israel to abandon its intensified genocide in Gaza and let more aid into the war-ravaged territory, where rescuers said fresh attacks killed dozens of people on Tuesday.

An AFP journalist saw some trucks entering the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza from the Israeli side on Tuesday, a day after the UN said it had been cleared to send aid for the first time since Israel imposed a total blockade on March 2, sparking severe shortages of food and medicine.

The dire humanitarian situation in the Strip has prompted an international outcry, with the European Union saying it would review its trade cooperation deal with Israel over alleged human rights abuses following a foreign ministers’ meeting on Tuesday.

The bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said “a strong majority” of its 27 member states backed the move, adding “the countries see that the situation in Gaza is untenable... and what we want is to unblock the humanitarian aid”.

Sweden said it would press the EU to level sanctions against Israeli ministers.

“Since we do not see a clear improvement for the civilians in Gaza, we need to raise the tone further,” said Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.

And Britain suspended free-trade negotiations with Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador and said it was imposing sanctions on settlers in the occupied West Bank in its toughest actions so far against Israel’s conduct of the war.

“Blocking aid, expanding the war, dismissing the concerns of your friends and partners. This is indefensible and it must stop,” Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in an impassioned speech to parliament.

Responding to Britain’s moves, Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said “external pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security”.

Israel on Tuesday rejected a European Union decision to review the bloc's cooperation deal in a bid to pressure Israel over its intensified offensive in Gaza.

"We completely reject the direction taken in the statement, which reflects a total misunderstanding of the complex reality Israel is facing," Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said in a message on X.