UN Warns Child Malnutrition in Gaza Remains Critical Despite Ceasefire

UN Warns Child Malnutrition in Gaza Remains Critical Despite Ceasefire
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Malnutrition among children in Gaza remains alarmingly high despite a ceasefire in place since 10 October, with more than 9,000 children hospitalised for acute malnutrition in October alone, The Guardian reported. UN agencies say the immediate threat of famine has eased for most of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents, yet humanitarian aid entering the territory continues to fall far short of what is required after two years of conflict, displacement and deteriorating living conditions.

According to Unicef, 9,300 children were treated for severe acute malnutrition in October — below the peak of 14,000 in August but significantly higher than levels recorded during the previous ceasefire earlier this year. Tess Ingram, a Unicef spokesperson, described seeing newborns weighing less than one kilogramme, struggling to survive. The agency also reported that 8,300 pregnant and breastfeeding women required hospitalisation for acute malnutrition, raising concerns about a rise in low-birthweight babies in the coming months.

While aid deliveries have increased compared with the height of the war, they remain insufficient. An average of 140 UN-coordinated aid trucks entered Gaza daily in December, far below the 600-truck target established under the ceasefire. Although bilateral and commercial shipments have grown more rapidly, lowered market prices still remain unaffordable for most families who have no income and exhausted savings.

Humanitarian assistance is being organised through the US- and Israel-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre, which includes representatives from countries supporting the ceasefire. However, diplomats and aid officials say the Israeli military retains authority over what is permitted to enter Gaza. On Sunday, only four of eight UN-coordinated convoys were allowed through.

UN agencies warn that without a sustained increase in aid access and the restoration of basic services, Gaza’s malnutrition crisis will continue to endanger thousands of children and vulnerable adults.