Starvation in Gaza: Infants Near Death, Malnutrition Crisis Worsens/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A severe hunger crisis is unfolding in Gaza as malnourished infants flood overwhelmed hospitals. Food shortages and restricted aid deliveries have created life-threatening conditions. Experts warn famine is imminent without urgent international intervention.
Gaza Malnutrition Crisis Quick Looks
- Hospitals overwhelmed: Nasser Medical Complex treating over 50 critically malnourished children in days.
- Visual signs of famine: Infants too weak to cry; limbs reduced to skin over bone.
- Aid blocked: Supplies for therapeutic feeding are nearly gone, says WHO.
- Death toll rising: 154 dead from malnutrition, including 89 children.
- Mothers starving too: Many can’t breastfeed due to extreme hunger.
- Global alarm: UN and WHO warn of “worst-case famine” scenario.
- Limited resources: Only four functioning child nutrition centers in Gaza.
- Israel’s stance: Says it’s allowing aid, blames logistics and Hamas.
Deep Look
Gaza Hospitals Struggle to Save Malnourished Children as Aid Dwindles
At Gaza’s Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, images of smiling children on the walls contrast sharply with the emaciated infants lying silently below. Severely malnourished, many are too weak to cry—a haunting sign of bodies shutting down.
Doctors in the ward say they’ve seen a surge of acute hunger cases, with more than 50 malnourished children admitted in just five days. According to Dr. Ahmed al-Farra, head of the pediatric and maternity unit, “It’s only skin on top of bones.” One mother, Yasmin Abu Sultan, shows her daughter Wateen’s limbs—each no wider than her thumb.
Most of these infants are healthy at birth, like Wateen, but have steadily declined as Gaza’s food crisis deepens. Gaza’s Health Ministry now reports 154 deaths from malnutrition since the blockade began, including 89 children. Another 65 adults have died from hunger-related causes.
The crisis intensified after Israel shut down all supplies into Gaza in March 2025, citing the risk of aid being diverted to Hamas. Though the blockade was partially lifted in May, restrictions remain. Israel claims it does not limit aid entry and blames logistical issues and Hamas interference for delivery delays.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization says Gaza is nearing full-blown famine. A July report from its nutrition division noted that over 5,000 children under age five received outpatient malnutrition care in two weeks—an unprecedented surge, with nearly one in five facing life-threatening starvation.
“We need everything,” Dr. Farra says. “Milk for babies, nutritional supplements, and essential medicines. Without immediate support, these children will not survive.”
Therapeutic food, such as high-calorie formula and ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), is nearly depleted. Many infants are denied hospital admission due to limited capacity. Mothers like Yasmin often survive on just one meal a day—the only food available, provided by the hospital.
Some children improve temporarily. Ten-month-old Maria Suhaib Radwan was discharged after gaining weight, sent home with formula. But many others, like five-month-old Zainab Abu Haleeb, don’t survive. Vulnerable to infections like sepsis, Zainab died in the ward last Saturday.
Malnutrition also brings deadly complications—diarrhea, fever, and a loss of appetite. “Children are losing weight, not gaining,” Dr. Farra explains. “In three months, Wateen lost 100 grams—her body is breaking down.”
International agencies say the humanitarian crisis is worsening. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warns Gaza has crossed two of three famine thresholds. The situation is expected to deteriorate further if aid does not increase dramatically.
In response, Israel has announced new measures, including “pauses” in military operations, aid airdrops, and expanded crossings. But the U.N. says these steps are inadequate to meet demand.
For now, the halls of Nasser Hospital remain overcrowded. Mothers cradle their silent babies, waiting for formula, food, and hope. The world watches, but action is slow.
“If she stays like this, I’m going to lose her,” Yasmin says of Wateen, gently coaxing the baby to sip from a bottle.
