Gaza children starve as blockade leads to 57 deaths from malnutrition
- Since the aid blockade began on March 2, 2025, 57 children have died of malnutrition in Gaza, highlighting a severe humanitarian crisis.
- The WHO warns that nearly 71,000 children under five could be acutely malnourished in the near future if the situation continues.
- The ongoing blockade and conflict are pushing Gaza toward famine, and urgent international action is required to prevent further loss of life.
In the context of an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the United Nations World Health Organization reported in May 2025 that many children are facing severe malnutrition due to a blockade that commenced on March 2, 2025. Since the blockade began, 57 children have died, and if the circumstances do not improve, the WHO forecasts that nearly 71,000 children under five will be acutely malnourished over the next 11 months. The aid embargo has critically limited the availability of supplies, rendering WHO capable of treating only a fraction of the necessary number of children suffering from acute malnutrition. WHO's representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, described the dire conditions, emphasizing that the lack of diversified food leads to a vicious cycle of malnutrition and disease. This alarming situation places immense pressure particularly on children who, due to malnutrition, are at heightened risk of severe health issues. Reports indicate that over 93% of children in Gaza, approximately 930,000, are at critical risk of famine, leading to urgent calls for improved access to healthcare and nutrition. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has indicated that one in five people in Gaza – about 500,000 individuals – faces starvation amidst widespread food shortages, which have become some of the worst hunger crises in the world. The health care system is struggling under the weight of the ongoing conflict, with healthcare services hampered by systemic attacks, including airstrikes affecting medical facilities. The Nasser Medical Complex reported fatalities and injuries due to airstrikes, highlighting an urgent need for protection of health care services in the region. As community kitchens, significant lifelines for local residents, are forced to shut down due to dwindling supplies, humanitarian workers express frustration and helplessness in the face of this unfolding tragedy. The international community is urged to intervene to prevent further deterioration of living conditions in Gaza, with calls for a ceasefire and the cessation of the aid blockade. Without action, many fear that the health and future of a generation will be permanently compromised.