Gaza Children Face Unprecedented Crisis: UN Reports Stark Malnutrition and Fatalities

Thousands killed, many more maimed and starving as aid is blocked

A devastating picture of childhood suffering in Gaza is emerging from new United Nations reports, highlighting the catastrophic impact of ongoing conflict on the youngest victims. Over the past 20 months, more than 17,000 children are reported to have been killed, a figure that only begins to capture the depth of the crisis.

Children Starving Amidst Blocked Aid and Deliberate Deprivation

New reports detail widespread malnutrition among Gaza’s children, a direct consequence of what the UN describes as Israel’s blockade on essential supplies. This deliberate strangulation of resources has created what the UN calls a “human-made drought,” forcing children to risk their lives for basic necessities like water.

“Those six thirsty children should not have needed to queue for water due to what the UN calls a human-made drought. Human Rights Watch believes that thousands of Palestinians have died due to Israel’s deliberate pattern of actions to deprive them of water which it alleges amounts to the crime against humanity of extermination as well as acts of genocide.”

—Human Rights Watch

The dire situation is compounded by a severe lack of medical supplies and nutritional supplements. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), one in ten children screened in its clinics are suffering from acute malnutrition. This marks a significant increase since the siege on Gaza was tightened over four months ago.

Daily Atrocities: Limb Loss and Preventable Deaths

The toll on children extends beyond fatalities and malnutrition, with daily reports of young lives irrevocably altered by war wounds. It is estimated that an average of 10 children per day are losing one or both legs due to attacks by Israeli forces.

“Our health teams are confirming that malnutrition rates are increasing in Gaza, especially since the siege was tightened more than four months ago on the second of March.”

—Juliette Touma, UNRWA Director of Communications

“One nurse that we spoke to told us that in the past, he only saw these cases of malnutrition in textbooks and documentaries,” stated **Juliette Touma**, UNRWA’s director of communications. She added that basic necessities such as medicine, nutrition, hygiene materials, and fuel are rapidly depleting.

UNRWA Aid Blocked, Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

UNRWA faces significant hurdles in delivering life-saving aid, with over 6,000 trucks reportedly waiting for authorization from Israeli authorities. **Juliette Touma** highlighted the critical scarcity of therapeutic supplies to treat malnourished children.

“There are very little therapeutic supplies to treat children with malnutrition as basics are scarce in Gaza. The Israeli authorities have imposed a tight siege blocking the entry of food, medicines, medical and nutritional supplies and hygiene material includ[ing] soap. While the siege is sometimes eased, UNRWA (the largest humanitarian organisation in Gaza) has not been allowed to bring in humanitarian assistance since 2 March.”

—Juliette Touma, UNRWA

The blockage of UNRWA staff from entering Gaza since March, based on uncorroborated accusations, has crippled the aid infrastructure. This has led to aid being rerouted through a U.S.-Israeli-administered foundation, under which massacres at aid distribution sites have reportedly killed over 870 people.

Call for Immediate Action

The United Nations is urging for unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations to deliver essential assistance. The international community is being called upon to act decisively to prevent further preventable deaths, particularly among the most vulnerable children.

The world cannot continue to look away. Gaza’s shattered health system is overwhelmed—and aid is being blocked by the government of Israel. We must ensure children receive the care and nutrition they desperately need. https://t.co/j3qB5wD50k #SaveGazaChildren

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) July 16, 2025

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s commissioner-general, stressed the urgency, stating, “Any additional delay to a cease-fire now will cause more deaths.” The critical situation demands immediate international intervention to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s children.