July Sees Deadliest Spike in Gaza Hunger Crisis
Hospitals Overwhelmed by Malnutrition Cases
Geneva: Malnutrition in the Gaza Strip has reached dangerous new levels, with a sharp spike in deaths in July alone. The World Health Organization (WHO) today confirmed that of the 74 malnutrition-related deaths recorded in 2025 so far, 63 occurred this month. Among the dead were 24 children under the age of five, one older child, and 38 adults. Many of them were either declared dead on arrival at health facilities or died soon after, with clear signs of severe wasting on their bodies.
According to WHO, the crisis remains entirely preventable. The blocking and delaying of large-scale food, health, and humanitarian aid has been cited as a primary factor leading to the loss of lives. In Gaza City, nearly one in five children under five is now acutely malnourished. Global Acute Malnutrition rates, which track children aged six to 59 months suffering from acute malnutrition, have tripled since June, making Gaza City the worst-affected area in the territory. Khan Younis and the Middle Area have also seen rates double in less than a month. These figures may still underestimate the actual scale due to security and access restrictions preventing many families from reaching health facilities.
In just the first two weeks of July, more than 5,000 children under five were admitted for outpatient treatment of malnutrition. Of these, 18 per cent were diagnosed with Severe Acute Malnutrition, the most life-threatening category. This continues a rising trend that began in May. In June, 6,500 children were treated, the highest monthly figure since October 2023.
An additional 73 children suffering from SAM with medical complications were hospitalised in July, up from 39 in June. The total number of inpatient admissions for such cases in 2025 now stands at 263. The surge has overwhelmed the only four specialised malnutrition treatment centres operating in Gaza. These centres are already working beyond capacity, with dwindling fuel supplies expected to run out by mid-August. Health workers are overstretched, and the collapse of water and sanitation infrastructure is worsening the spread of disease, compounding the health crisis.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are also severely affected. Recent screening data from the Nutrition Cluster show that more than 40 per cent of them are severely malnourished. The highest rates have been reported in the Middle Area, where cases have tripled since June. Gaza City and Khan Younis have also reported a doubling of cases among women.
The search for food has become increasingly perilous. Since May 27, more than 1,060 people have died and 7,200 have been injured while attempting to access food under dangerous and often chaotic conditions.
The WHO today called for urgent and sustained action to deliver large quantities of diverse and nutritious food to Gaza. It urged the immediate delivery of therapeutic food for children, medical supplies, and essential medicines. The organisation emphasised that this aid must be consistent and unhindered to support recovery and prevent the crisis from deepening further. WHO also reiterated its call for the protection of civilians and health infrastructure, and called for the release of its detained colleague, the release of hostages, and an immediate ceasefire.
– global bihari bureau
