Acute Malnutrition Among Young Children in Gaza Reaches Critical Levels, New Analysis Reveals

Recent findings have highlighted a growing health emergency in the Gaza Strip, where more than 54,000 children under the age of five are experiencing acute malnutrition, with over 12,800 classified as severely affected. These estimates, derived from a comprehensive surveillance study, underscore the escalating humanitarian crisis that has unfolded amidst ongoing conflict and severe restrictions on aid.

The study, conducted by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), systematically monitored the nutritional status of children between January 2024 and August 2025. Health teams screened nearly 220,000 children aged 6 to 59 months using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements at various health centers and emergency medical points across all five governorates of Gaza. The data was then extrapolated to reflect the estimated total population of children in this age group, which stands at approximately 346,000.

According to the findings, the prevalence of acute malnutrition, often referred to as wasting, has increased sharply over the surveillance period. Wasting is a dangerous condition indicating rapid weight loss and a severe deficit of essential nutrients, which can quickly become life-threatening without prompt intervention. In January 2024, the rate of wasting among screened children was 4.7%, but by January 2025, amid intensified aid restrictions and blockades, the prevalence soared to 14.3%. The latest figures from mid-August 2025 indicate that 15.8% of children are now acutely malnourished, with 3.7% categorized as severe cases.

The situation has been further exacerbated by fluctuating access to humanitarian aid. During a six-week ceasefire in early 2025, the influx of aid resulted in a temporary decline in malnutrition rates to 5.5%. However, a subsequent extended blockade led to a rapid resurgence of wasting, particularly in regions like Rafah and Gaza City, where some areas saw malnutrition rates spike to over 30% at certain points.

In August 2025, the UN Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) officially declared a state of famine in Gaza City Governorate, while the rest of the territory remains on the brink of similar conditions. This designation followed mounting evidence from multiple humanitarian organizations indicating critical shortages of food, water, medical supplies, and fuel, all contributing to the dire nutritional status observed among young children.

The study's authors emphasize that the destruction of infrastructure, repeated mass displacement, and persistent barriers to humanitarian access have severely compromised the delivery of essential health and nutrition services. As a result, many children in need of therapeutic feeding or medical treatment face limited or no options for recovery.

Prior to the escalation of conflict in October 2023, children from refugee families in Gaza were already considered food insecure but generally maintained stable weight due to regular food aid distributions. The current crisis has eliminated many of these support mechanisms, leaving young children highly vulnerable to malnutrition and its associated health risks.

Experts not involved in the study caution that the immediate impacts of starvation are only part of the crisis. They note that malnutrition in early childhood can have long-term, intergenerational effects, including increased risk of chronic diseases and reduced life expectancy. There is significant concern that the consequences for affected children will persist long after the acute emergency subsides.

The study also acknowledges limitations, including challenges in accessing some regions for data collection and the fact that repeated screenings of the same children may have occurred. Despite these constraints, the surveillance provides a robust indication of the scale and severity of malnutrition among Gaza's youngest residents.

The ongoing conflict and restrictions on humanitarian assistance continue to present formidable obstacles to addressing the nutrition crisis. Without a sustained ceasefire and unimpeded access for aid organizations, the outlook for thousands of vulnerable children remains critical.