Half of Gaza's underage population experiences severe hunger issues

Half of Gaza's underage population experiences severe hunger issues

In the embattled region of Gaza, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding as severe malnutrition among children under five has tripled in the past two weeks, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) [1]. This alarming increase follows a quadrupling of malnourished individuals since May 18.

The root causes of this crisis are complex, but primarily stem from a prolonged blockade, ongoing military conflict, and deliberate restrictions on humanitarian aid. Gaza has been under an intense blockade, restricting the flow of food, fuel, water, and medical supplies, a situation that has worsened amid ongoing conflict [1][3].

Continuous Israeli military operations, combined with displacement orders and bombardment, have disrupted food deliveries and destroyed infrastructure, further exacerbating the issue [1][3]. Humanitarian sources and advocacy groups accuse Israeli authorities of intentionally blocking or delaying large-scale food and humanitarian aid, contributing to the worsening hunger and deaths [2][3][4].

The consequences of this crisis are stark. About a quarter to one-third of Gaza’s 2.1 million people are facing extreme hunger, with many going multiple days without food [1]. Nearly one in five children under five suffers from acute malnutrition, with tripled rates in some areas since June 2025, resulting in thousands of hospitalizations and many deaths [2][3]. Over 70 malnutrition-related deaths occurred in 2025, many in July alone, including children who often arrive at hospitals too weak to recover [2].

The healthcare system in Gaza is struggling to cope with the surge of malnourished patients due to limited resources and ongoing violence [3]. The MSF clinic in Gaza City is registering 25 new cases of malnutrition every day [5].

International efforts to alleviate the crisis include attempts by UN agencies and humanitarian groups to deliver aid, calls for ceasefires, and limited Israeli military-led aid drops. The World Food Programme (WFP) and WHO are actively trying to deliver aid and treat malnourished populations, with pre-positioned food stocks ready to supply Gaza for two months if safe access is granted [1][2].

UN officials emphasize the need for ceasefires to enable aid delivery and prevent further deaths by starvation [1]. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced air drops of food aid and power restoration to water desalination plants but deny responsibility for food shortages, attributing distribution to UN agencies and blaming Hamas for aid diversion [4].

Over 100 organizations describe the situation as mass starvation caused by siege policies, demanding the lifting of restrictions and urgent humanitarian access [4]. The European Commission has called on Israel to "lift restrictions" in Gaza [6].

Despite these efforts, political and security barriers continue to hamper sufficient humanitarian relief [1][2][3][4]. On July 3, an MSF team member was killed in a similar incident in Khan Younis [7]. On July 20, medical teams at Sheikh Radwan Clinic in northern Gaza treated 122 people with gunshot wounds while waiting for flour distribution, 46 of whom were dead on arrival [2].

The UN has accused the Israeli army of killing over a thousand people in Gaza seeking humanitarian aid since the end of May [8]. As the conflict continues, the situation in Gaza remains critical, with the potential for widespread famine-like conditions and further loss of life.

References:

1. Al Jazeera. (2025, July 15). Gaza's children suffer from malnutrition as blockade continues. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/15/gazas-children-suffer-from-malnutrition-as-blockade-continues
2. Associated Press. (2025, July 20). Doctor: Gaza clinic sees 122 wounded as flour is distributed. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-gaza-strip-israel-health-humanitarian-aid-94702c28145856b081744671f8e06366
3. Human Rights Watch. (2025, July 13). Israel/Gaza: Blockade Fuels Crisis, Must Ease Access to Aid. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/7/13/israelgaza-blockade-fuels-crisis-must-ease-access-aid
4. Middle East Eye. (2025, July 16). Over 100 organisations accuse Israel of mass starvation in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/over-100-organisations-accuse-israel-mass-starvation-gaza
5. MSF. (2025, July 15). MSF denounces deliberate starvation in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.msf.org/gaza-deliberate-starvation
6. European Commission. (2025, July 14). European Commission calls on Israel to lift restrictions in Gaza. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_25_2986
7. MSF. (2025, July 4). MSF team member killed in Khan Younis, Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.msf.org/gaza-team-member-killed-khan-younis
8. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (2025, July 21). UN: Over 1,000 Palestinians killed seeking humanitarian aid since May. Retrieved from https://www.unocha.org/emergencies/gaza-2023/humanitarian-updates/un-over-1000-palestinians-killed-seeking-humanitarian-aid-since-may
9. The surge in malnutrition in Gaza, a severe health-and-wellness concern, has led to triple the number of malnourished children under five within the past two weeks, as reported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
10. As a result of the ongoing political conflict and deliberate restrictions on humanitarian aid, various organizations, including the World Food Programme (WFP) and World Health Organization (WHO), are urging for a ceasefire in the region to deliver necessary food and medical supplies.
11. In addition to the health-and-wellness crisis, mental-health conditions are also deteriorating due to the instability and continued violence in Gaza.
12. Amidst the complex issues plaguing Gaza, the world's science community has been closely following the developments, studying the effects of politics on health and nutrition in the region.

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