HQ Team
July 28, 2025: At least 24 children under the age of five died of malnutrition this month in the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip, taking the overall total of such deaths to 63 in July, according to the World Health Organization.
“Malnutrition is on a dangerous trajectory in the Gaza Strip, marked by a spike in deaths in July,” according to a WHO statement. The deaths included a child over five years and 38 adults. About 75 people have died due to malnutrition so far this year.
“Most of these people were declared dead on arrival at health facilities or died shortly after, their bodies showing clear signs of severe wasting.”
Deliberate blocking and delay of large-scale food, health, and humanitarian aid have resulted in the loss of many lives, and the crisis remains entirely preventable, the global health body states.
About one in five children under five in Gaza City is now acutely malnourished, as reported by Nutrition Cluster partners. Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM), which measures the percentage of children aged 6–59 months suffering from acute malnutrition, has tripled since June, making it the worst-hit area in the Gaza Strip.
Severe Acute Malnutrition
In Khan Younis and the Middle Area, rates have doubled in about a month. These figures are likely an underestimation due to the severe access and security constraints preventing many families from reaching health facilities.
So far in July, over 5,000 children under five have already been admitted for outpatient treatment of malnutrition in just the first two weeks, 18% of them with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), the most life-threatening form.
“This continues a significant rising trend since May, with 6,500 children admitted for treatment in June, which is the highest number recorded since October 2023.”
In July, 73 children with SAM and medical complications were hospitalised, compared to 39 in June, bringing the total inpatient admissions in 2025 to 263. This surge in cases is overwhelming the only four specialised malnutrition treatment centres in the Gaza Strip, pushing an already fragile health system closer to collapse.
“All four centres are working beyond capacity, running low on fuel, with their supplies expected to run out by mid-next month. Health workers are exhausted, and the breakdown of water and sanitation systems is accelerating the spread of disease, driving a dangerous cycle of illness and death.
Search for food
The crisis is taking a severe toll on pregnant and breastfeeding women. Recent Nutrition Cluster screening data show that over 40% are severely malnourished.
The situation is most critical in the Middle Area, where rates have tripled compared to June, and in Gaza City and Khan Younis, where they have doubled.
It is not only hunger that is killing people, but also the desperate search for food. Families are being forced to risk their lives for a handful of food, often under dangerous and chaotic conditions. Since May 27, more than 1,060 people have been killed and 7,200 injured while trying to access food.
Medicine shortage
WHO called for urgent, sustained efforts to flood the Gaza Strip with food, and to expedite the delivery of therapeutic supplies for children and vulnerable groups, as well as essential medicines and supplies.
“This flow must remain consistent and unhindered to support recovery and prevent further deterioration. WHO reiterates its call for the protection of civilians and health. WHO also calls for the release of our detained colleague, the release of hostages, and an immediate ceasefire.”
The WHO defines malnutrition as deficiencies or excesses in nutrient intake, imbalance of essential nutrients or impaired nutrient utilisation. The double burden of malnutrition consists of both undernutrition and overweight and obesity, as well as diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Undernutrition manifests in four forms — wasting, stunting, underweight, and micronutrient deficiencies.
Wasting is defined as low weight-for-height. It often indicates recent and severe weight loss, although it can also persist for a long time.
