UNICEF warns of alarming rise in child malnutrition in Gaza

UNICEF has warned of a worrying rise in malnutrition rates among children in the Gaza Strip.

The agency said in a statement that the latest data show an unprecedented rate in August among children screened for acute malnutrition.

It reported that the rate across Gaza rose to 13.5% last month, up from 8.3% in July.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said one in five children in Gaza City was diagnosed with acute malnutrition during August and needed the additional life‑saving nutrition support UNICEF provides.

She said the agency had been able to bring more supplies into Gaza, but Israeli strikes in the city forced about 10 feeding centres to close, leaving children more exposed to risk.

UNICEF stressed the need to protect nutrition services in Gaza City and across the Strip, adding: “No child should suffer from malnutrition that we can prevent and treat when we are able to access and deliver aid safely.”