Over 50,000 Palestinian children under five suffering acute malnutrition in Gaza: UN

According to a new study conducted by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), as of mid-August, 54,600 children in Gaza were suffering from an overall lack of essential nutrition needed for nourishment.

The study conducted estimated that more than 12,800 of these children were suffering from a severe life-threatening deficiency of the vital nutrition needed by the body, which puts their health and long-term development at serious risk.

The lead scientist for UNRWA's study said that since the Israeli regime launched the genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the children in Gaza face an increased risk of mortality while suffering from preventable acute malnutrition.

“Evidence prior to Oct. 2023 indicated that children in Palestine refugee families in the Gaza Strip were food insecure and had poor dietary diversity," said epidemiologist Masako Horino, who led the study.

“Yet, they were only marginally underweight. This paradox was likely explained by these families’ regular access to food aid. Following two years of war and severe restrictions in humanitarian aid, tens of thousands of pre-school-aged children in the Gaza Strip are now suffering from preventable acute malnutrition and face an increased risk of mortality.”

The Zionist regime's blockade of Gaza had started years ago, resulting in food insecurity in the Palestinian territory. UNRWA had been forced to provide food aid even before the Israeli regime launched its genocidal war two years ago. 

Future generations of Palestinians will also be adversely impacted by their present condition, nutrition experts said, expressing concern about the children’s future health.