GAZA — United Nations agencies warned on Thursday that child malnutrition in the Gaza Strip is worsening rapidly, with humanitarian officials saying continued restrictions on aid deliveries, displacement and the collapse of basic services are deepening a public health emergency affecting hundreds of thousands of children.
The warning came as UN humanitarian and health agencies reported that growing numbers of children are suffering from acute malnutrition, while overstretched medical facilities face shortages of therapeutic foods, medicines and clean water needed to treat severe cases. Officials said deteriorating nutrition conditions are increasing the risk of preventable illness and death among young children.
UNICEF, the World Health Organization and other humanitarian partners have repeatedly said access to sufficient food, safe drinking water and healthcare remains severely constrained across the territory. They have urged the immediate expansion of humanitarian access to allow the delivery of nutrition supplies and other life-saving assistance.
The agencies said children under five remain among the most vulnerable, with many families unable to secure adequate diets as food prices remain beyond the reach of much of the population. Nutrition specialists also warned that pregnant and breastfeeding women face increasing levels of malnutrition, raising further risks for newborns.
UN officials have linked the worsening crisis to prolonged conflict, repeated displacement, damage to health infrastructure and continuing obstacles affecting the entry and distribution of humanitarian supplies. They said aid organizations require sustained, safe and predictable access to deliver therapeutic nutrition products and restore essential health and nutrition services.
Israel has said it facilitates humanitarian assistance into Gaza while maintaining security measures during its military operations against Hamas. Israeli authorities have previously argued that aid deliveries have also been disrupted by insecurity and interference inside Gaza. Earlier this week, a senior UN official accused Hamas of obstructing some humanitarian operations, an allegation the group denied.
Humanitarian agencies have continued to call for expanded access through border crossings, saying current aid volumes remain insufficient to meet growing needs across the enclave. They stress that improving the flow and distribution of food, medical supplies and nutrition support is essential to preventing further deterioration in children's health.
