Children suffering from malnutrition are consistently admitted to a hospital in Gaza, amidst Netanyahu's denial of the existence of hunger in the area.
The current situation in Gaza is one of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, marked by acute malnutrition and famine. The plight of children like Jamal al-Najjar and Shamm serves as a stark reminder of the dire situation.
Malnutrition among children under five has reached record highs, with about 132,000 children at acute risk and over 2,500 suffering from severe acute malnutrition – the most life-threatening form. This crisis has been caused by a complex combination of factors, including ongoing conflict, blockade, and displacement.
Malnutrition levels in Gaza are the highest ever recorded, with acute malnutrition more than tripling since early 2025. In July alone, around 12,000 children were diagnosed with acute malnutrition, 18% of whom had severe acute malnutrition requiring hospitalization. Famine has been officially confirmed in Gaza, with over half a million people (half of them children) facing catastrophic hunger.
The conflict has led to mass displacement, with hundreds of thousands being forced south, spreading famine conditions to new areas like Deir Al-Balah and Khan Younis. Severe restrictions on humanitarian aid and supplies exacerbate the crisis. Only a fraction of vulnerable children requiring supplementary feeding receive aid due to severe shortages and limited access.
Agricultural destruction and economic collapse greatly reduce local food production, with 98% of cropland damaged or inaccessible, skyrocketing food prices, and scarce cooking fuel and medical supplies. The killing and hospital admission of many children from malnutrition have spiked sharply, with malnutrition-related deaths concentrated in July 2025.
This crisis is described as entirely preventable but worsened by blocked aid, ongoing hostilities, and infrastructure destruction.
Tragedy struck on August 12 when a 5-year-old boy named Jamal al-Najjar died from severe malnutrition at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Doctors at the hospital confirmed that Jamal's death was caused by severe malnutrition.
Shamm, a 2-year-old girl, is severely malnourished and may have a genetic disorder affecting muscle and bone development. Her family was granted permission to travel to a hospital in Italy on August 12.
International humanitarian organizations urgently call for a ceasefire and unrestricted, increased aid to prevent further deaths from starvation and malnutrition. The situation in Gaza is a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action to alleviate this humanitarian catastrophe.
[1] UNICEF (2025). Gaza: Children in Crisis. [Online] Available at: https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/gaza_children_in_crisis
[2] OCHA (2025). Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza. [Online] Available at: https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-crisis-gaza
[3] WHO (2025). Gaza: Health Cluster Situation Report. [Online] Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/gaza/situation-reports/en/
[4] Save the Children (2025). Gaza: A Preventable Disaster. [Online] Available at: https://www.savethechildren.net/content/dam/global/reports/emergencies/gaza-a-preventable-disaster-report.pdf
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marked by acute malnutrition and famine, requires immediate attention from the international community and the government.
- Science plays a crucial role in understanding the root causes and potential solutions for the malnutrition worsening in Gaza, particularly in terms of nutrition and health.
- There is a pressing need for politics and general news networks to prioritize the heartrending situation in Gaza, as it poses a significant threat to the health-and-wellness of children like Jamal and Shamm.
- Humanitarian aid, travel, and support from international organizations are essential to alleviating the ongoing crisis in Gaza, where children are suffering from acute malnutrition and famine.
