Gazan babies will die without aid - UN humanitarian chief

Update 13 November 2025: Following publication of this video on 20 May, the BBC reported later that day that we had sought further clarification from the UN on Tom Fletcher's comments. In a statement, Jens Laerke, their human rights commission spokesman, said: "We are pointing to the imperative of getting supplies in to save an estimated 14,000 babies suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Gaza, as the IPC partnership [Integrated Food Security Phase Classification] has warned about. We need to get the supplies in as soon as possible, ideally within the next 48 hours." The UN also pointed to an IPC report, and our article explained that this section of the report referred to 14,100 severe cases of acute malnutrition taking place over the course of a year, rather than 48 hours.

A UN humanitarian chief has said 14,000 babies in Gaza could die in the next 48 hours if lorries of aid do not reach communities in the Strip.

Speaking to the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme, Tom Fletcher said thousands of trucks of aid were "ready to go", adding that the lorries contained "baby food and nutrition".

Israel has accused Hamas of misusing and stealing aid, which Hamas denies.

The country's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Monday that "we must not reach a situation of famine", adding that Israel will only allow a "minimal, basic bridge" to prevent hunger.

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