Severe Malnutrition Threatens Gaza’s Population

In a harrowing development, the people of Gaza are facing extreme malnutrition levels that could potentially lead to famine. The persistent Israeli military offensive has exacerbated the situation, forcing many into overcrowded makeshift camps and leaving them increasingly vulnerable. This alarming report was released on Thursday by experts associated with the United Nations-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification global initiative.

The hunger crisis is affecting nearly the entire population of Gaza, which numbers around 2.2 million. However, the situation is particularly dire in the northern regions of the enclave, where Israeli military operations have intensified in recent weeks. The report highlights that many children under the age of five in Gaza are suffering from acute malnutrition, a stark indicator of the worsening humanitarian crisis.

Since the onset of the conflict more than a year ago, the panel—comprised of various U.N. agencies and international relief organizations—has been diligently monitoring the extent of the hunger crisis in Gaza. A previous report issued in March warned that famine in the region was “imminent.” Although conditions showed some improvement between May and August due to a surge in humanitarian assistance, the excerpts released on Thursday indicate that these positive developments have been largely undone in the past two months. The full report is expected to be published next week, according to officials.

“If the conflict persists and humanitarian efforts remain restricted, catastrophic acute food insecurity and alarming levels of malnutrition will continue to be prevalent,” the report cautioned. The Israeli government has issued evacuation orders for large areas in northern Gaza, which have significantly disrupted humanitarian operations across the region.

The report further emphasizes the toll of repeated displacements, stating, “These disruptions have steadily eroded people’s capacity to cope and access essential resources such as food, water, and medicine, deepening the vulnerability of entire communities.”