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United Nations

Congresswomen Pressley and Pettersen Lead Call for Decisive Action to Address Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), along with 101 of their colleagues, have called on the Trump Administration to use its full power and authority to demand that the Israeli government immediately facilitate a massive surge in all humanitarian aid, including infant formula, into Gaza to address the crisis of starvation. This call to action comes as more than 20,000 children have been treated for acute malnutrition in Gaza since April.

The lawmakers sounded the alarm over the catastrophic shortage of baby formula and the Israeli military's severe restrictions on humanitarian aid distribution, which is starving people in Gaza. Infants in particular are especially vulnerable to death by starvation. The letter cites alarming figures, including the deaths of 18,500 children in Gaza since October 2023, more than 20,000 children treated for acute malnutrition since April, and widespread famine conditions that have deprived mothers the basic nutrition required to sustain breastfeeding, rendering formula the only option for infant survival in many cases.

"We the undersigned stand united in our fundamental American moral values that we must do everything possible to ensure children are not starving and that infants are not denied critical food aid," the lawmakers wrote in their letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "This crisis is not one of funding or resources, but of access and political will. While we push for a long-lasting resolution and we are devastated that previous ceasefires were not upheld, we believe it is absolutely necessary to prioritize the safe delivery of the pallets of baby formula, specifically ready-to-feed formula, sitting at the border of Gaza to ensure that we do not lose another newborn or infant to starvation."

The lawmakers also condemned the Israeli government's restrictions on aid delivery, including a complete blockade earlier this year and its new system of aid delivery, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation system, which has resulted in a catastrophic decrease in food supplies and other humanitarian aid.

Key Takeaways:

  • More than 20,000 children have been treated for acute malnutrition in Gaza since April.
  • The deaths of 18,500 children in Gaza since October 2023 have been reported.
  • The Israeli military's severe restrictions on humanitarian aid distribution have resulted in a catastrophic shortage of baby formula.
  • The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation system has led to a catastrophic decrease in food supplies and other humanitarian aid.
  • The lawmakers have urged the Israeli government to immediately facilitate a massive surge in all humanitarian aid, including infant formula, into Gaza.
  • The letter calls for decisive action to address the crisis of starvation in Gaza, stating that "this crisis is not one of funding or resources, but of access and political will."

Statistics:

  • More than 20,000 children have been treated for acute malnutrition in Gaza since April.
  • 18,500 children have died in Gaza since October 2023.
  • The Israeli military's severe restrictions on humanitarian aid distribution have resulted in a catastrophic shortage of baby formula.
  • The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation system has led to a catastrophic decrease in food supplies and other humanitarian aid.

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives -- Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) Letter Comes as More Than 20,000 Children Have Been Treated for Acute Malnutrition in Gaza since April
  • Text of the Letter (PDF)
  • MIL OSI USA News (http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/) - Copyright 2025 Multimedia Investments Ltd, distributed by Contify.com

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