09 September 2025
GENEVA – The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed its deepest concern today over the catastrophic impact on children of the ongoing hostilities in Gaza, ahead of the upcoming 80th United Nations General Assembly session, and urgently reiterated its calls for decisive action by all States, and in particular by Israel as a de facto occupying force.
The Committee highlighted that the famine has now taken hold in Gaza. Malnutrition among children is accelerating at a catastrophic pace. The Committee echoed the multiple UN agencies’ warning that, without immediate and unhindered humanitarian access, the manmade famine will spread, and more children will die.
“The Committee is gravely concerned about the denial of basic necessities for survival. Children in Gaza are enduring unimaginable suffering due to acute malnutrition, starvation and conditions of famine,” it said.
“Essential services have also collapsed: safe drinking water, sanitation, and adequate health care are non-existent. Civilian infrastructure has been essentially destroyed, leaving children deprived of the minimum conditions required for survival and development,” the Committee added.
At the same time, children continue to be direct victims of ongoing military attacks. Over the weekend, the Israeli army intensified its bombardment of Gaza City, repeatedly striking residential towers and leaving them in ruins.
“Confirmed reports indicate horrific levels of killing, maiming, and widespread violence against children. Countless children have lost parents, siblings, and extended family members, leaving them in profound grief and with extreme psychological trauma that will affect their lives for years to come,” the Committee said.
“Israel’s ongoing actions constitute outright violations that strike at the very heart of the rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child,” the Committee stressed.
The Committee urged Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza. It also demanded the release of all hostages by Palestinian armed groups.
“Israel must take immediate action to end its obstruction of humanitarian aid and must guarantee that unrestricted, sustained and secure assistance reaches the people of Gaza. It must take measures to protect children in Gaza from further harm, and respect and uphold their inherent rights and dignity in full compliance with the Convention,” the Committee said.
Read more on this issue:
- UN Relief Chief says Gaza famine “must spur the world to urgent action”
- Famine confirmed for first time in Gaza – Joint Press Release by FAO, UNICEF, WHO, and WFP
- Gaza: Famine “irrefutably” confirmed, UN humanitarians unite in plea for aid access – OCHA, OHCHR, WFP and WHO
- UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: Famine is now confirmed in Gaza City
- WFP: As famine grips Gaza, families turn to desperate measures to survive
- UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory on famine in Gaza
- UN Human Rights Chief says Gaza Governorate famine is direct result of Israeli Government actions
- UNFPA: Gaza Famine a Catastrophe for Mothers and Infants
- Press Conference: Famine in Gaza – Emergency Directors from FAO, WFP and UNICEF
- UNFPA: Famine confirmed in Gaza – pregnant women and newborns at acute risk
- Gaza’s Population Systematically Being Starved to Death, Speakers Warn Security Council, Demanding Immediate Ceasefire, End to Deliberate Famine
- “Failure to act will have irreversible consequences,” UN Deputy Relief Chief tells Security Council on Gaza famine
- UN Palestinian Rights Committee Bureau Calls for Urgent Action to End Gaza Famine
- IPC Report Confirms Famine in Gaza: Joint Statement by UN Security Council 14 Members
- “Palestinians must be able to live safely on their land.” Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process tells the Security Council
- WHO and OCHA Press Briefing: We are on a descent into a massive famine in Gaza, say relief agencies
- UN Relief Chief demands urgent action to halt spread of famine and suffering in Gaza – Question of Palestine
- Gaza: UN experts urge General Assembly to respond to famine and genocide – Question of Palestine
- Joint Statement from the Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group on the Famine in Gaza: Women and girls are starving while the world watches [EN/AR] – Question of Palestine
Document Sources: Committee on the Rights of the Child
Subject: Armed conflict, Children, Closures/Curfews/Blockades, Famine, Gaza Strip, Hostages, Human rights and international humanitarian law
Publication Date: 09/09/2025
URL source: https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/09/gaza-un-child-rights-committee-condemns-using-starvation-children-weapon-war