Over 3,000 Gaza children face acute malnutrition as Israel’s blockade cripples aid efforts

The UN’s humanitarian agency (OCHA) reports that over 3,000 children and 1,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women in Gaza have been diagnosed with acute malnutrition since 19 January, requiring urgent treatment.

While a slight improvement in food consumption was noted during the ceasefire due to increased market availability, Israel’s renewed blockade now threatens to undo this progress, endangering lives once again.  

OCHA warns that the blockade is directly undermining efforts to deliver critical, life-saving aid. “If aid disruptions persist, at least 80 community kitchens could soon exhaust their supplies. Those still operational may have to reduce meal portions or adjust content to cope with shortages,” the agency stated.  

Aid organisations face the grim reality of cutting food rations. Although the distribution of existing food parcels continues, these supplies—supporting 500,000 people—are rapidly depleting.