Deaths from malnutrition and hunger in the Gaza Strip have increased dramatically, rising approximately thirty-five-fold since 2023, according to a recent report issued by Gaza’s Government Media Office. The figures highlight a worsening humanitarian emergency amid a nearly two-year blockade and sustained conflict.

The report revealed that malnutrition-related deaths escalated from just four in 2023 to 50 in 2024, and reached 143 so far in 2025, totalling 197 deaths. Of those, 96 were children and 101 adults, reflecting the severe impact on vulnerable populations.

This surge signals a health crisis spiralling out of control, with starvation increasingly used as a weapon amid ongoing hostilities. The World Health Organization (WHO) echoed these concerns, describing hunger-related fatalities as “deeply concerning.”

“Malnutrition is widespread in Gaza, and hunger-related deaths are increasing, raising serious concerns among the international community,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a press briefing.

In July alone, nearly 12,000 children under five were diagnosed with acute malnutrition, placing them at heightened risk of death or irreversible damage. The collapse of Gaza’s health infrastructure, compounded by shortages of medicines, fuel and medical supplies, is exacerbating the crisis.

WHO called for the immediate reopening of border crossings to ensure unhindered humanitarian access, emphasising the urgent need for international action to save lives.

The United Nations has stated that hundreds of aid trucks carrying food, medicine and essentials must enter Gaza daily to begin addressing the famine. However, despite some limited deliveries in recent weeks under mounting global pressure, reports have emerged alleging looting of aid convoys and insufficient protection.

Since 7 October 2023, the Gaza Strip has endured a relentless military campaign resulting in the deaths of over 61,000 Palestinians and injuries to more than 152,000. The majority of casualties are women and children. The blockade and continued bombardments have forced mass displacement, destroyed critical infrastructure, and brought the region to the brink of famine.

Civilians gathering near aid distribution points have frequently been exposed to live fire and airstrikes, compounding the humanitarian disaster.

As malnutrition-related deaths climb, calls for urgent international intervention grow louder, not only to facilitate aid delivery but to address what many describe as a systematic and deliberate campaign of destruction against the population of Gaza.