JAKARTA - The number of malnutrition increases in Gaza and hunger can have a sustainable impact on "a full generation", the World Health Organization (WHO) representative for the occupied Palestinian Territories said on Tuesday.
Israel has blocked supplies to the enclave since early March, as the country continues its devastating military campaign against Hamas.
On Monday, global hunger monitors warned that half a million people in the Palestinian enclave were threatened with critical hunger.
WHO representatives at Gaza Rik Peeperkorn said he had seen children at clinics who looked a few years younger than their age and visited northern Gaza hospitals, where 11 percent of children were examined were suffering from acute malnutrition.
"What we are seeing is the trend of increasing acute malnutrition in general," Peeperkorn told a news conference via video link from Deir al-Balah.
"I've seen a five-year-old boy, and you'll say he's two and a half years old," he continued.
"Without sufficient nutritious food, clean water, and access to health services, the entire generation will be permanently affected," he said, warning of stunted growth and disruption of cognitive development.
Israel has repeatedly blamed Hamas for causing starvation by stealing the help it should have for civilians. Hamas denies the allegations.
"Due to the blockade, WHO only has enough stock to treat 500 children with acute malnutrition, which is only a small part of what is needed," said Peeperkorn.
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So far, 55 children have died of acute malnutrition, he said, citing figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health.
Peeperkorn said he had seen many children in hospitals with diseases such as gastroenteritis and pneumonia which, due to their reduced immunity associated with hunger, could be fatal.
"You usually don't die from hunger. You die from the disease associated with it," he concluded.
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