Gaza: Doctors in Gaza are raising alarms as cases of malnutrition among children have soared dramatically in recent months. In March 2025 alone, the United Nations reported identifying 3,700 children suffering from acute malnutrition — an 80 percent increase compared to February. The ongoing conflict and siege have led to severe shortages of essential foods needed for child development.
Dr. Ayman Abu Teir, head of the Therapeutic Feeding Department at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, told the Associated Press that the number of malnutrition cases has "increased in a very substantial way." He emphasized that specialized milk for infants has completely run out, putting vulnerable children at even greater risk.
Abu Teir stressed that children require a full range of foods — meat, eggs, fish, dairy, fruits, and vegetables — to grow properly and strengthen their immune systems. However, due to the dire situation in Gaza, these essential food groups are no longer available to most families.
Health experts warn that the lack of proper nutrition will cause long-term damage to children's physical and mental development. Without immediate and sustained intervention, thousands of children face a lifetime of health complications.
The crisis in Gaza is rooted in the Israeli blockade that severely restricts the entry of food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid into the territory. Years of conflict, repeated escalations, and ongoing siege have crippled Gaza’s economy and health system, leaving children especially vulnerable to preventable suffering.
