UNICEF Reports Ongoing Child Malnutrition in Gaza Despite Ceasefire
Thousands of children in the Gaza Strip continue to face severe hunger and malnutrition, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Despite the ceasefire in place since early October, the delivery of humanitarian aid remains insufficient to address the region's critical needs.
UNICEF has revealed that in October alone, approximately 9,300 children required treatment for acute malnutrition. The ceasefire was initially expected to improve the flow of humanitarian assistance to the territory, but challenges persist. UNICEF spokespersons have noted that while the ability to provide aid has increased compared to conditions prior to the ceasefire, logistical obstacles and security concerns continue to limit access. Delays and denials of food shipments, the closure of key transportation routes, and ongoing safety risks have all contributed to the ongoing crisis.
Among the most affected are newborns and infants. Recent data from healthcare facilities in Gaza indicate a dramatic rise in the number of underweight babies admitted to clinics. Some infants, weighing less than one kilogram at birth, are experiencing severe health complications, including respiratory distress. The number of newborns with dangerously low birth weights--less than 2.5 kilograms--has increased significantly in the months leading up to and following the ceasefire.
From July to September, the number of babies born with underweight conditions nearly doubled compared to figures before the onset of the conflict. The average rose to around 460 newborns per month, which translates to approximately 15 per day. Furthermore, mortality rates among newborns have escalated sharply. Reports indicate a 75 percent increase in the number of infants dying on their first day, with the monthly average rising from 27 in 2022 to 47 between July and September 2025.
UNICEF attributes the rising cases of low birth weight and infant deaths to the widespread malnutrition among pregnant and breastfeeding women. At least 165 children have died in connection with malnutrition since the conflict began. The cost of basic food items, such as meat, has soared to unaffordable levels, with prices reaching around $20 per kilogram, placing essential nutrition out of reach for most families.
Experts supported by the United Nations estimated in August that famine-like conditions threatened around half a million residents in the Gaza Strip, which constitutes a quarter of the local population. Previous warnings had highlighted the potential for long-term, irreversible harm to children caused by chronic hunger and malnutrition.
Humanitarian agencies continue to advocate for the lifting of restrictions that prevent aid from reaching those in need and stress the urgency of improving access to food, medical care, and essential supplies to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.