Gaza malnutrition crisis deepens: WHO reports sharp rise in child deaths

JERUSALEM: The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over a sharp rise in malnutrition-related deaths in the Gaza Strip, reporting that the crisis has reached catastrophic levels, particularly among children and vulnerable populations.

According to WHO, 63 out of 74 malnutrition-related deaths recorded in 2025 occurred in July alone. The deceased included 24 children under five, one child over five, and 38 adults. Most were pronounced dead on arrival at medical facilities, exhibiting severe signs of wasting and starvation.

“This tragedy is entirely preventable,” WHO noted in its latest statement, attributing the escalation to deliberate obstruction and delay of large-scale food, medical, and humanitarian aid.

Acute malnutrition triples among children

In Gaza City, nearly 1 in 5 children under five is now suffering from acute malnutrition, with Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates tripling since June — making it the most severely impacted area in the Gaza Strip. Khan Younis and the Middle Area have also seen GAM rates double in less than a month.

Due to security restrictions and access constraints, these figures likely underestimate the true scale of the crisis, as many families cannot reach health services.

Alarming surge in SAM admissions

Over 5000 children under five were admitted for outpatient malnutrition treatment in the first two weeks of July alone — 18% of them diagnosed with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), the most life-threatening form. This builds on a sharp rise that began in May, with 6500 SAM admissions in June, marking the highest monthly number since October 2023.

Additionally, 73 children with SAM and medical complications were hospitalized in July, up from 39 in June, bringing total inpatient admissions in 2025 to 263.

Only four specialized treatment centers are operational in Gaza, all of which are overwhelmed, running critically low on fuel and essential supplies expected to deplete by mid-August. Exhausted health workers face impossible demands, while deteriorating water and sanitation infrastructure accelerates the spread of disease, compounding the crisis.

Women and families at extreme risk

Recent data from Nutrition Cluster partners reveals over 40% of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gaza are now severely malnourished. Rates have tripled in the Middle Area and doubled in both Gaza City and Khan Younis.

Beyond starvation, the desperate search for food is costing lives. Since 27 May, more than 1060 people have been killed and 7200 injured while attempting to access food in unsafe and chaotic conditions.

WHO calls for urgent action

The WHO has issued an urgent appeal to flood Gaza with diverse, nutritious food, therapeutic supplies for children, and essential medicines. The agency insists that aid delivery must be consistent and unhindered, emphasizing the need for civilian protection, unconditional humanitarian access, and an immediate ceasefire.

“Hunger is not just killing people; the search for food is killing them too,” the WHO stressed, reiterating its call for the release of hostages, the freedom of detained health workers, and the protection of all civilians under international law.

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