WHO Warns of "Deadly Surge" in Gaza Malnutrition Deaths Amid Hunger Crisis
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued urgent and dire warnings about the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, specifically highlighting a "deadly surge in malnutrition-related deaths." The dire situation, as conveyed by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a media briefing on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, indicates that starvation is now a major killer, compounding the dangers of ongoing conflict, bombs, and bullets.
Here's a detailed breakdown of the information from the WHO and other humanitarian sources:
The Dire Situation as of July 23, 2025:
Starvation as a Killer: WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus explicitly stated, "The 2.1 million people trapped in the war zone that is Gaza are facing yet another killer on top of bombs and bullets: starvation. We are now witnessing a deadly surge in malnutrition-related deaths." He further elaborated that "a large proportion of the population of Gaza is starving... and it's man-made."
Child Deaths: The situation for children is particularly grim. In 2025 alone, WHO has documented 21 deaths related to malnutrition of children under five years old. Other reports indicate that over 100 people, including at least 80 children, have died from hunger and malnutrition across Gaza since October 2023. A Gaza hospital chief specifically stated on July 22, 2025, that 21 children had died in the preceding three days due to malnutrition and starvation across various hospitals in the territory.
Overwhelmed Malnutrition Centers: Since July 17, 2025, severe acute malnutrition centers in Gaza are reportedly full and severely lack sufficient supplies for emergency feeding, crippling efforts to treat the most vulnerable.
Rising Malnutrition Rates: Rates of global acute malnutrition (GAM) among screened children now exceed 10%. Over 20% of pregnant and breastfeeding women screened are also malnourished, often severely. As of July 2025, the overall rate of acute malnutrition among screened children has increased sharply from 2.4% in February to 8.8%, with severe acute malnutrition cases rising from 1% to 1.5% in the same period. In Gaza City, the acute malnutrition rate among children screened in July jumped alarmingly to 16% from 4% in February.
"Catastrophic Birth Outcomes": The UN reproductive health agency (UNFPA) warned on July 23, 2025, of "catastrophic birth outcomes." They cited a 41% decline in Gaza's birth rate over the past three years, a maternal death rate now over 20 times that of 2022 (with 220 mothers dying in the first half of 2025), and at least 20 newborns dying within 24 hours of birth.
Causes of the Hunger Crisis:
Collapse of Aid Pipelines and Access Restrictions: The hunger crisis is being severely exacerbated by the collapse of aid pipelines and ongoing, stringent restrictions on humanitarian and commercial access into Gaza. The UN and humanitarian partners were unable to deliver any food for nearly 80 consecutive days (from early March to mid-May 2025) due to a complete blockade on humanitarian and commercial access. While deliveries have resumed intermittently since then, they remain "far below what is needed for the survival of the population." UNFPA alone has 170 trucks loaded with desperately needed supplies stranded at borders since early March 2025.
Violence at Food Distribution Sites: Food distribution sites have become perilous places of extreme violence. From May 27 to July 21, 2025, health authorities reported 1,026 people killed in Gaza while trying to access food from these sites. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has termed Gaza's hunger crisis as reaching "new and astonishing levels of desperation."
Severe Water Shortages: A staggering 95% of households in Gaza face severe water shortages, with daily access far below the minimum needed for drinking, cooking, and hygiene, further compounding health issues and malnutrition.
Limited Local Production: Israel's ongoing offensive has virtually wiped out what was already limited local food production in Gaza, making the population almost entirely reliant on outside aid.
"Man-Made Famine": Michael Fakhri, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, has explicitly called the starvation in Gaza a "man-made" famine, stating it is "the most horrific stage of Israel's starvation campaign." Over 100 aid and human rights groups have also warned that Israel's "forced mass starvation" is engulfing Gaza.
WHO's Operational Challenges:
WHO's operational presence in Gaza is severely compromised. Its main warehouse, containing vital medicines and supplies, was severely damaged, and staff residences have been attacked. This cripples efforts to sustain an already collapsing health system and push vital aid to those who desperately need it.
The WHO, along with other UN agencies and humanitarian partners, continues to urgently call for a sustained ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and the protection of civilians and aid workers to prevent further deaths from starvation and disease in Gaza.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
