Infant passes away in mother's embrace in Gaza, casualty of intensifying malnutrition predicament
In the troubled region of Gaza, a severe malnutrition crisis is unfolding, with the death toll climbing rapidly. As of late July 2025, 74 malnutrition-related deaths have been recorded, with 63 deaths occurring in July alone, including 24 children under five.
The crisis has been driven by the blockade and obstruction of food, health, and humanitarian aid access, which has collapsed local food systems and devastated livelihoods. The ban on aid deliveries, which was partially lifted in late May, is not meeting Gaza's needs, leading to the spread of malnutrition.
The situation is so dire that UN agencies describe it as being on the brink of full-scale famine. Food consumption and nutrition indicators have exceeded famine thresholds, and more than 320,000 children under five are now at risk of acute malnutrition.
Malnutrition rates have surged dramatically, with nearly 1 in 5 children under five in Gaza City acutely malnourished. Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) has tripled in some areas since June 2025. Over 5,000 children under five were admitted for malnutrition treatment in the first half of July 2025 alone, 18% of whom suffered from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), the most life-threatening type.
The humanitarian response is hampered by ongoing conflict, a militarized aid distribution system, and political complexities. UN officials warn that delays and obstructions in aid are causing unnecessary deaths and are calling for immediate, large-scale, unobstructed humanitarian access and aid.
One heart-wrenching example of the crisis is the case of Zeinab Abu Halib, a 5-month-old Palestinian baby who died in Gaza on Friday. Zeinab's mother, Israa, walked more than 30 minutes to reach the hospital due to a lack of transportation. During the walk, Zeinab stopped moving and breathing. Dr. Munir al-Boursh, Director General of the Ministry of Health, confirmed Zeinab's death.
Israa expressed her frustration and grief, questioning why more innocent babies like Zeinab are starving to death. The NGO Doctors Without Borders reported that a quarter of children aged 6 months to 5-years-old and pregnant or breastfeeding women screened last week at its Gaza facilities were malnourished.
Zeinab had been in and out of the hospital for the last three months. The walk to the hospital was long, hot, and Israa was hungry and didn't have water. These are the harsh realities faced by many in Gaza, where the malnutrition crisis has generated international outrage.
Sources:
- Al Jazeera
- The New Humanitarian
- United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- The malnutrition crisis in Gaza, fueled by the blockade and obstruction of food, health, and humanitarian aid, has also highlighted the importance of science and nutrition in preventing and managing such crises.
- In the face of this escalating health-and-wellness emergency, UN officials are urgently advocating for immediate, large-scale, unobstructed humanitarian access and aid to mitigate delays and obstructions, which are causing unnecessary deaths.
