Gaza City: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has revealed a concerning increase in malnutrition among children in Gaza, with one in 10 children examined at its clinics suffering from the condition.

According to Union of OIC News Agencies, UNRWA Director of Communications Juliette Touma stated via video link from Amman that malnutrition rates have risen significantly, particularly following the intensification of the blockade over four months ago. Since January 2024, UNRWA has screened over 240 children under the age of five, finding malnutrition present in a notable portion of those examined. This marks a shift from the period before the war when malnutrition was rarely detected in the region.

Additionally, medical sources in Gaza have reported that 67 children have died due to malnutrition, with over 650,000 children under five at immediate risk of severe malnutrition. This urgent situation affects a significant number of the 1.1 million children living in the Gaza Strip.