KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — As Israel’s comprehensive blockade on Gaza continues into its third month, the beleaguered territory faces critical shortages of food and medical resources. The densely populated enclave, which heavily depends on foreign assistance, is witnessing a sharp rise in child malnutrition while hospitals struggle to cope with constant emergencies.
Food prices have skyrocketed beyond the reach of most residents, with the United Nations indicating over 80% of the population relies on aid. The blockade, initiated on March 2, marks the longest in Israel’s history and has drawn increasing international criticism. Accusations have mounted against Israel, suggesting it is weaponizing starvation to compel Hamas to release hostages. Israel maintains the blockade is essential for pressuring Hamas regarding the hostages situation, where 24 of the 59 captives are believed to be alive.
Although Israeli officials did not immediately respond to allegations that starvation is being used as a weapon, they have previously argued that aid levels in Gaza were sufficient post-distribution during a ceasefire. Israeli claims of aid diversion by Hamas have been refuted by humanitarian workers who stress rigorous U.N. distributions.
Severe shortages of essential goods have halted food parcel distributions, leading to the closure of community kitchens that were vital daily food sources for numerous families. Those that remain operational see intense struggles among the populace for scarce food rations. Reports indicate that bakeries have shuttered operations, and water supplies are dwindling due to a fuel shortage. Agricultural activities have been severely disrupted, with fishermen facing dangers at sea and reports of looting at exhaustively depleted warehouses. Generous supplies sit at border points, prohibited from entering Gaza by Israeli restrictions.
Child malnutrition rates have surged, as documented by U.N. agencies since March, with indicators such as weak immune systems, frequent illnesses, weight loss, and physical wastage becoming common among the young population. Since the beginning of the year, over 9,000 children were treated for severe malnutrition, with March seeing an 80% rise from February’s figures. The situation is exacerbated as stocks of preventative supplements, including therapeutic biscuits, decline rapidly. Roughly half of Gaza’s 200 nutrition centers have ceased operations owing to bombardments and displacement.
In the pediatric units, cases like that of nine-month-old Khaled highlight the crisis. Weighing just 11 pounds, the boy suffers from chronic diarrhea, and his mother’s inadequate nutrition has hindered breastfeeding. Khaled’s siblings display marked signs of malnutrition too, exacerbated by the lack of access to supplementary food for older children. The children’s mother, Wedad Abdelaal, describes their deteriorating condition with despair.
Hospitals, strained beyond capacity, are admitting only severely malnourished children for brief interventions before discharging them to make room for more critical cases. The dire shortage of nutritional support means that those with underlying health issues face particularly grim prospects. Health officials express uncertainty about the limited aid they can offer, with some patients unlikely to survive given the dire situation.
Michael Ryan from the World Health Organization voiced grave concern over the irreversible damage being inflicted on Gaza’s children, urging immediate action to avoid complicity in the unfolding humanitarian disaster.