Child Malnutrition in Gaza Surges to Record 13.5% Amid Escalating Conflict

Child malnutrition in the Gaza Strip has reached record levels, with 13.5% of children screened in August identified as acutely malnourished, up from 8.3% in July, and an even higher 19% in Gaza City where famine has been confirmed. The number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), the deadliest form, has sharply increased to 23% of those admitted for treatment, compared to 12% six months earlier. UNICEF reports that the escalating Israeli military offensive, including repeated evacuation orders and attacks, has forced the closure of around a dozen nutrition centers and 10 outpatient treatment facilities, limiting access to life-saving treatment. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are also severely affected by insufficient food intake and limited medical support, exacerbating the crisis. Despite efforts to scale up the delivery of essential nutrition supplies, stocks remain insufficient to meet urgent needs. The ongoing conflict further disrupts health, nutrition, and education services, with over 25,000 displacements recorded, and critical humanitarian operations suspended or relocated across Gaza City and northern Gaza.