The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has reached catastrophic proportions, with Palestinian health authorities reporting that 466 people have died from hunger and malnutrition since 2024, including 157 children, as the territory marks another World Food Day under conditions of war, blockade and severe food shortages.

In a statement issued on World Food Day (October 16), Gaza's Health Ministry warned that food insecurity has evolved from a humanitarian emergency into a direct threat to the survival of the population, citing worsening shortages of food, medicine and therapeutic nutritional supplies.

The ministry said the prolonged war and blockade have drastically reduced the territory's ability to provide adequate nutrition and healthcare, particularly for children, pregnant women, older adults and other vulnerable groups.

More than 1.4 million people face acute food insecurity

According to the ministry, more than 1.4 million Palestinians, representing approximately 67 per cent of Gaza's population, are experiencing acute or worse levels of food insecurity, with conditions expected to deteriorate further in the coming months.

Health officials warned that widespread hunger has accelerated the spread of malnutrition-related illnesses and placed additional pressure on an already devastated healthcare system struggling with shortages of staff, medicines and medical equipment.

Children remain at the centre of the crisis

The ministry said more than 158,000 cases of acute malnutrition among children under the age of five were recorded between 2024 and August 2026, including 28,716 severe cases requiring urgent medical intervention.

Health projections indicate that approximately 74,200 children could require treatment for acute malnutrition by April 2027, raising concerns that hospitals and nutrition centres will be unable to meet growing demand.

Officials warned that malnutrition affects not only children's weight but also their physical and mental development, weakens immune systems and significantly increases the risk of life-threatening diseases and long-term health complications.

The ministry also reported a sharp deterioration in child health indicators. Mortality among children under five increased from 13.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022 to 33.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025, while the rate of stunted growth among children reached 12.2 per cent.

Elderly people and pregnant women face growing risks

The health impact of the food crisis extends beyond children. According to the ministry, 189 elderly people have died from hunger and malnutrition, accounting for approximately 40.5 per cent of all reported hunger-related deaths.

Officials said older adults face heightened risks because chronic illnesses, combined with limited access to food and healthcare, have significantly reduced their ability to survive prolonged nutritional deprivation.

Pregnant women are also experiencing increasingly severe health consequences. The ministry reported that anaemia among pregnant women rose from around 41 per cent before the war to 61 per cent in 2026.

During the first half of this year alone, nearly 4,000 pregnancy losses were recorded, while approximately one-third of pregnancies are now classified as high risk because of malnutrition and inadequate medical care.

Ministry urges urgent international action

The ministry stressed that Gaza's crisis has gone far beyond a shortage of food supplies and now represents a cumulative public health emergency marked by severe malnutrition, rising mortality, childhood growth disorders and increasing risks for pregnant women, nursing mothers and older adults.

It called on the international community and the United Nations to ensure the immediate, safe and unrestricted entry of food aid, therapeutic nutritional supplements, medicines and medical supplies into the Gaza Strip.

The ministry also urged greater support for local food production and agricultural recovery, emphasizing that access to food is a fundamental human right that must be protected even during armed conflict.

Officials warned that without urgent intervention, the humanitarian and health consequences of the crisis will continue to deepen, leaving lasting effects on Gaza's population for years to come.(ILKHA)