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Rachel Accurso, better known to millions of children and parents around the world as Ms Rachel, has once again used her platform to speak out against the atrocities unfolding in Gaza.

In a deeply emotional Instagram post, the American YouTuber and educator behind ‘Songs for Littles’ condemned Israel’s ongoing siege and bombing campaign, spotlighting the deliberate starvation of children in the region.

Posting a heart-wrenching photo of a visibly malnourished Palestinian baby clinging to life, she penned an impassioned plea addressed to world leaders.

“Dear world leaders,” she wrote, “You need to not let this baby die. Miles away is everything needed to save her life and you need to find a way to get it to her. She is so weak she can’t even cry!”

Accurso urged political and religious leaders to act with conscience and humanity. “Whatever religion you are, I know it does not tell you to let this baby starve. If you are not religious, I know your moral compass tells you to not let this baby starve. Whatever is causing you to not speak up for this baby is not more important than her life and your humanity,” she said.

“Please imagine a baby you love. Do you think she is different than that baby? Do you think Palestinian children are not like other children? You must have convinced yourself they are or how could you look away? How could you be silent? How could you watch 15,000 children be killed?”

Accurso pointed out that all babies have the potential to thrive and the right to one day become happy, healthy adults. She noted that children have been “entrusted to us all as a collective people to nurture, nourish, love and care for.”

Stating the obvious for those still missing the point, she added, “We are not meant to starve and kill and bomb children. Don’t we all know that? Do children have human rights anymore? We need not violate The Convention on the Rights of the Child.”

She continued, “I am writing this because I am an expert in early childhood development and I know how malnutrition and trauma affect brain development and can have life-long consequences. I am writing this because I am a Christian and Jesus tells us to feed the poor, love our neighbour, that everyone is our neighbour and that when we do things to people in need with do them to him.”

She went on to cite Christian teachings to condemn the silence of the world as Israel continues to bomb Gaza and block aid from entering the region. “Jesus did not say help only your neighbours with the same skin colour, same religion or who were born in the same place. Love your neighbour as yourself. Love this baby as your own.”

Concluding her note, she urged, “I am writing because I just know what’s right and what’s wrong and you do, too. Please save this baby and all of the children who are suffering from malnutrition. They need food and medical care. They need us to be brave. They need you to see them as children so stop looking away and see them.”

Writer and activist Fatima Bhutto commended Accurso for continuing to speak out. “God bless you for not giving up on these babies,” she commented under the post.

This isn’t the first time Accurso has spoken up against Israel’s forced starvation in Gaza. Despite facing targeted backlash from pro-Israel groups, she has remained steadfast in advocating for Palestinian children’s right to survive and thrive.

In another recent post, she addressed a young girl named Rahaf Ayed, a 12-year-old survivor in Gaza suffering from severe malnutrition, and urged her to stay hopefull. Palestinian journalists report that Ayed now requires urgent medical intervention to stay alive.

In a previous interview with Middle East Eye, Accurso informed that the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund is working to provide Ayed and others with food and urgent medical care, offering a glimmer of hope.

Since Israel launched its war on Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the numbers have been staggering. According to Al Jazeera, Israel has killed at least one child every 45 minutes — an average of 30 children per day over 535 days since March 26 this year.

The situation has been widely described by humanitarian organisations as a man-made famine, exacerbated by a complete blockade on aid, food, and fuel in northern Gaza.

While Rachel’s posts have garnered widespread praise, they’ve also drawn the ire of hardline pro-Israel groups. The US-based organisation Stop Antisemitism has called on former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Accurso, accusing her of raising funds for “terrorist causes” — a claim many have dismissed as a silencing tactic against critics of Israel’s policies.

Despite this, Accurso remains unwavered in her support for Palestine and especially the children of Gaza.