Gaza Hospitals Report Surge in Malnourished Children Amid Conflicting Claims

Gaza's Nasser Hospital is experiencing a significant rise in cases of severe malnutrition among children. Health officials report that numerous children are arriving daily in critical condition. One such case is 2½-year-old Ro’a Mashi, who, despite having no preexisting health conditions, succumbed to severe malnutrition after her family struggled to find adequate food and medical treatment.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly denied the presence of hunger in Gaza, stating, "There is no hunger. There was no hunger. There was a shortage, and there was certainly no policy of starvation." However, United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric warned that starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at the highest levels since the war began. In July alone, nearly 12,000 children under five were found to have acute malnutrition, including more than 2,500 with severe malnutrition, according to U.N. reports.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that malnutrition rates have reached alarming levels in Gaza. The WHO emphasized the urgent need for sustained efforts to deliver diverse, nutritious food and therapeutic supplies to children and vulnerable groups. Health professionals stress that severe malnutrition requires specialized treatment, and mere food access won’t reverse the damage. Although aid deliveries have increased in recent weeks, they remain insufficient and unaffordable for many families. Additionally, ongoing Israeli military operations threaten further displacement and disruption of aid.

The Gaza Health Ministry reports that 42 children have died of malnutrition-related causes since July 1, along with 129 adults. It states that 106 children have died of malnutrition during the entire war. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, is staffed by medical professionals, and its figures on casualties are seen by the U.N. and other experts as the most reliable. Doctors in Gaza acknowledge that some of those dying or starving have chronic conditions, including cerebral palsy, rickets, or genetic disorders, some of which make children more vulnerable to malnutrition. However, those conditions are manageable when food and proper medical treatments are available, they say. The worsening shortages of food led to these cases’ swift deterioration, with malnutrition being the main factor in their deaths.

The WHO calls for urgent, sustained efforts to flood the Gaza Strip with diverse, nutritious food and to expedite the delivery of therapeutic supplies for children and vulnerable groups, as well as essential medicines and supplies. This flow must remain consistent and unhindered to support recovery and prevent further deterioration. The WHO reiterates its call for the protection of civilians and health, the release of detained colleagues, the release of hostages, and for an immediate ceasefire.