Over 9,000 Gaza Children Treated for Acute Malnutrition in October, UN Reports

In October, more than 9,000 children under the age of five in Gaza were treated for acute malnutrition, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). This figure, while lower than the peak of over 14,000 cases in August, remains significantly higher than during the previous ceasefire earlier this year.

UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram noted that the number of malnourished children admitted is five times greater than in February, indicating continued inadequacies in aid delivery and food access.

The United Nations and other aid agencies report that, despite the ceasefire declared on October 10, Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid shipments persist. These limitations result in aid deliveries that fall well below the needs of Gaza's 2.2 million residents, many of whom have been affected by two years of conflict and displacement.

In October, approximately 8,300 pregnant and breastfeeding women were also hospitalized for acute malnutrition. UNICEF warns that this trend may lead to an increase in low birthweight babies in the coming months.

Aid deliveries have increased since the height of the conflict, with an average of 140 aid trucks entering Gaza daily in December. However, this number is well below the target of 600 trucks per day set as part of the ceasefire agreement.

The United Nations continues to advocate for the opening of all available crossings into Gaza to facilitate the delivery of essential humanitarian aid and address the ongoing malnutrition crisis.