UNICEF Warns Spike Concerning Children's Malnutrition Rate In Gaza

WFP provides food assistance to Palestinians. (WFP/Ali Jadallah)

JAKARTA - The United Nations (UNICEF) Children's Fund says child malnutrition rates in the Gaza Strip are increasing at an alarming pace, where recent data show unprecedented levels of severe acute malnutrition among stunted children in August.

In a press release issued on Thursday, UNICEF reported the overall figure across Gaza rose to 13.5 percent last month, up from 8.3 percent in July.

In Gaza City - where hunger has been confirmed - 19 percent of children treated suffer from severe malnutrition, compared to 16 percent in July.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said one in five children in Gaza City was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition in August, requiring urgent nutritional support and saving lives provided by UNICEF, quoted from WAFA September 12.

He noted that although the organization had succeeded in bringing more supplies to the Gaza Strip, Israel's ongoing military escalation forced about 10 nutritional centers to close, making children more vulnerable.

Russell emphasized the importance of protecting nutrition services in Gaza City and throughout Gaza Strip.

"No child should suffer from malnutrition that we can prevent and treat if we have safe access to distribute aid," he stressed.

Medical sources in Gaza confirmed that so far 404 people have died from hunger and malnutrition in Palestinian enclaves, including 141 children.

Cases of malnutrition and hunger come to hospitals in Gaza at all times. About 900,000 children in Gaza are suffering from hunger, 70,000 of whom have entered the malnutrition stage.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip continues to worsen due to the blockade and lack of food and medical supplies. This severe hunger is closely related to the genocide war that Israel has waged since October 7, 2023.

Since March 2, 2025, occupation authorities have closed all crossings to the Gaza Strip, blocking the entry of most food and medical aids, which further accelerates the spread of hunger in the region.