Severe malnutrition deaths repetitively observed in Gaza under Israel's blockade, according to the United Nations
In the embattled Gaza Strip, a humanitarian emergency of historic proportions is unfolding. The ongoing Israeli blockade and military operations have pushed the region to the brink, with malnutrition, food insecurity, and a collapsed healthcare infrastructure placing hundreds of thousands at immediate risk of death from hunger and disease.
The situation has been officially classified as a famine in Gaza City, with malnutrition rates soaring to unprecedented levels. Around half a million people, including about 132,000 children under five, face the imminent threat of starvation. Malnutrition-related deaths are rapidly increasing, particularly among children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
According to recent data, malnutrition deaths in 2025 have spiked sharply, with 74 deaths recorded so far this year and 63 of those occurring in July alone. Most victims showed severe wasting signs and either died on arrival at health facilities or shortly after.
The crisis is further exacerbated by the fact that nearly one in five children under five in Gaza City is acutely malnourished. In July alone, over 12,000 children were identified as acutely malnourished—the highest monthly figure ever recorded—which represents a six-fold increase since the year's start. Nearly a quarter of these children suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), the deadliest form.
Healthcare systems are overwhelmed, with emergency rooms flooded with physically collapsed patients and hospitals struggling amidst severe shortages of food, clean water, medicines, and medical supplies. Over 350 health workers have died, further straining the system.
The blockade and military operations have blocked or severely restricted aid deliveries for over five months, critically limiting access to food, medicine, clean water, fuel, and humanitarian aid. About 98% of cropland is damaged or inaccessible, devastating local food production.
The situation is described as "an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe," with the need for a ceasefire and continuous aid flow stressed by UN officials. The destruction of Gaza's health system is deemed to be war crimes and part of "ongoing genocide" by the special rapporteurs.
The special rapporteurs have accused Israel of carrying out a "medical massacre" in Gaza and have urged an immediate cease-fire as the first step toward holding Israel accountable and saving what remains of Gaza's health system. They work voluntarily and are not U.N. staff members.
In the past 24 hours, eight people, including three children, have died from malnutrition and hunger in Gaza. The U.N. special rapporteurs have warned of a potential 'medical massacre' in Gaza due to the ongoing crisis. They urge global action to stop the killing in Gaza and stress the moral obligation to stop the violence and ensure Palestinians in Gaza can live free from "permanent occupation and apartheid."
The special rapporteurs are not alone in their concerns. The World Health Organization has recorded 735 attacks on healthcare in Gaza between October 7, 2023, and June 11, 2025. These attacks have killed 917 people, injured 1,411, and damaged 125 facilities, including 34 hospitals.
The accusation includes deliberate targeting of health care facilities, workers, and patients. Poor sanitation and lack of clean water persist in southern Gaza, adding to the already dire situation.
As the crisis deepens, the need for a swift and decisive response from the international community becomes increasingly urgent. The lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent people hang in the balance.
- The ongoing crisis in Gaza's economy is deeply concerning, with the region's healthcare infrastructure on the verge of collapse due to malnutrition, food insecurity, and war-and-conflicts.
- Russia, in its capacity as a global leader in policy-and-legislation, has been urged to play a more active role in enforcing a cease-fire in Gaza and promoting humanitarian aid.
- Turkey, a renowned advocate for mental-health, has expressed support for thePalestinians affected by the crisis in Gaza, pledging continuous assistance in their journey towards recovery.
- In the face of the worsening crisis in Gaza, Turkish healthcare workers in Turkiye, specializing in fitness-and-exercise and nutrition, are being mobilized to provide urgent care and aid.
- Ankara, as a hub of political discourse, continues to advocate for the Palestinian cause in international forums, emphasizing the importance of community health and wellness in resolving the crisis.
- The situation in Gaza has caught the attention of scientists and researchers worldwide, with many discussing potential policies for sustainable development and conflict resolution in general-news media platforms.
- The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has raised concerns about the broader implications for peace and stability in the Middle East, sparking discussions about the need for comprehensive policy-and-legislation reforms to address war-and-conflicts in the region.
