Gaza Faces Alarming Rise in Malnutrition Deaths, WHO Reports
A severe malnutrition crisis is gripping the Gaza Strip, with a stark increase in deaths recorded in July, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The organization highlighted that 63 out of 74 registered malnutrition-related deaths in 2025 occured in July alone, affecting 24 children under five, an additional child over five, and 38 adults. Many of these individuals were pronounced dead upon arrival at health facilities or died shortly after, exhibiting clear signs of severe wasting.
The WHO emphasized that the situation could have been averted, attributing the “blessed and intentional delay” in aid delivery to the meaningful loss of life. Partners within the Global Nutrition Group indicated that nearly one in five children under five in Gaza city is now suffering from acute malnutrition. However,the WHO suggests these figures may underestimate the true extent of the problem due to severe security restrictions that hinder families from reaching healthcare facilities.
The organization stressed the critical need for a continuous and unimpeded flow of aid to support recovery and prevent further deterioration. Data from the WHO reveals that over 5,000 children under five received malnutrition treatment in the first two weeks of July, with 18% experiencing severe malnutrition. This follows June, which saw 6,500 children treated for malnutrition, the highest number since the conflict began in October 2023.
in July, 73 children were admitted to hospitals with severe malnutrition and related medical complications, a significant increase from the 39 children admitted in June. This surge is placing immense strain on the four specialized malnutrition treatment centers. Moreover, over 40% of pregnant and breastfeeding women are suffering from acute malnutrition, according to data from the Global Nutrition Group, as reported by the WHO.The organization also noted that the desperate search for food is leading families to risk their lives in perilous and chaotic circumstances.