Rising Child Malnutrition and Starvation Reported in Gaza Amid Ongoing Blockade

Rising Child Malnutrition and Starvation Reported in Gaza Amid Ongoing Blockade
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Aid workers and medical professionals report a sharp increase in child malnutrition and starvation in Gaza following months of blockade and disrupted aid distribution, local and international reports said. In northern Gaza, numerous children are suffering severe malnutrition, with some dying from starvation-related causes.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported 28 child deaths linked to malnutrition in the past month, though it is unclear how many had prior health conditions. Children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy are particularly vulnerable due to the scarcity of high-calorie foods and nutritional supplements.

Since late May, Israel has allowed limited aid into Gaza, including airdrops and temporary pauses in military operations, but humanitarian organizations say these measures have not significantly eased the crisis.

The United Nations estimates that nearly 20% of children in Gaza City and northern areas are now acutely malnourished. Over 5,000 children were diagnosed with malnutrition this month alone, a condition that was almost nonexistent prior to the conflict. Medical facilities face critical shortages of supplies needed to treat these children.

Israel denies allegations of famine, asserting that sufficient food aid has been provided and blaming Hamas for diverting resources. Humanitarian groups reject claims of significant aid theft, emphasizing the gap between aid delivered and the volume needed—around 500 aid trucks per day, according to UN estimates.

Families with children who have special needs face growing hardship as necessary dietary provisions have vanished, worsening their health and survival prospects. The worsening malnutrition crisis highlights the urgent need for increased humanitarian access to Gaza amid ongoing conflict and blockade.