Professor Steve Turner, President:
“The catastrophic condition of families and children in Gaza is intolerable. We hear reports that many children have died due to starvation in recent days and many others are at risk.1 2 3 4 This is unacceptable. We continue to call on governments to stand up for the humanitarian norms and laws designed to protect innocent children, their families, communities, health and aid workers.
Since the dismantling of the UN-led humanitarian system, essential deliveries of food, clean water and medical supplies are not reaching those most in need. The College reiterates its condemnation of the failure to protect civilians and to deliver food and other essential humanitarian aid. We restate our call for an immediate ceasefire, the return of all hostages, and establishment of safe aid delivery to prevent an otherwise inevitable rise in avoidable deaths from malnutrition and untreated health needs.
We recognise recent UK Government’s efforts which called for the lifting of restrictions on the flow of aid. But we now ask the UK Government to do more, and with the utmost urgency, to enact and enforce international human rights and humanitarian law to protect children in Gaza. This echoes the College’s overarching position on international conflicts which calls for the fundamental rights of the child to be upheld, including during times of conflict.
Healthcare workers play a critical role in managing nutrition and casualties in situations of conflict, but they must always be protected and safe to provide care. Hospitals and health centres are widely overwhelmed, and medical professionals are struggling to deliver even basic, essential care services.
We reiterate our call for gravely injured and chronically sick children to be allowed to leave Gaza so they can access treatment abroad. While acutely aware of the strains being faced by the NHS, we believe that the UK Government, in collaboration with the international community, has a responsibility to take a lead in providing care to these children.”
See information on the College’s response to the conflict and calls on the UK Government.
1 https://www.who.int/news-room/speeches/item/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-23-july-2025
2 https://www.unicef.org.uk/press-releases/more-than-5000-children-diagnosed-with-malnutrition-in-the-gaza-strip-in-may/
3 More than 100 people die of hunger in Gaza, including 80 children, say Palestinian officials | World News | Sky News
4 https://www.who.int/news/item/12-05-2025-people-in-gaza-starving--sick-and-dying-as-aid-blockade-continues
- 1 a b https://www.who.int/news-room/speeches/item/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-23-july-2025
- 2 a b https://www.unicef.org.uk/press-releases/more-than-5000-children-diagnosed-with-malnutrition-in-the-gaza-strip-in-may/
- 3 a b https://news.sky.com/story/more-than-100-people-die-of-hunger-in-gaza-including-80-children-say-palestinian-officials-13400222
- 4 a b https://www.who.int/news/item/12-05-2025-people-in-gaza-starving--sick-and-dying-as-aid-blockade-continues