Over 9,000 Gaza Children Hospitalised for Malnutrition in October

The United Nations reports that over 9,300 children in Gaza were hospitalised for acute malnutrition in October 2023. This alarming statistic highlights the ongoing impact of malnutrition on the region’s youth, despite the ceasefire that was declared on October 10, 2023. While the immediate threat of famine has diminished for the 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza, humanitarian aid continues to face significant restrictions, hampering relief efforts.

According to UNICEF, the number of children treated for severe acute malnutrition in October showed a decrease from the peak of 14,000 cases in August. Nonetheless, this figure remains alarmingly high compared to rates observed during the previous ceasefire in February and March of this year. Tess Ingram, a spokesperson for UNICEF, expressed concern about the situation, stating, “In Gaza’s hospitals I have met several newborns who weighed less than one kilogramme, their tiny chests heaving with the effort of staying alive.”

The crisis is not limited to children. In October, approximately 8,300 pregnant and breastfeeding women were also admitted to hospitals due to acute malnutrition. “This pattern is a grave warning and it will likely result in low birthweight babies being born in the Gaza Strip for months to come,” Ingram added. The long-term effects of the humanitarian crisis have the potential to alter the lives of generations of families, including those children born during the ceasefire.

Continued Restrictions on Humanitarian Aid

While aid deliveries to Gaza have increased since the peak of the conflict, they remain inadequate compared to the humanitarian needs of the population. An average of 140 aid trucks crossed into Gaza daily in December, organized by the UN and the International Organisation for Migration. This number falls significantly short of the target of 600 trucks per day established as part of the ceasefire agreement.

Aid officials report that deliveries coordinated through a multinational hub, the Civil-Military Coordination Centre, which is led by the United States and Israel, are still subject to the final approval of the Israeli military. On a recent Sunday, out of eight humanitarian convoys coordinated with Israeli authorities, only four were allowed entry into Gaza.

Despite the increased volume of bilateral aid donations and commercial shipments, many essential supplies remain beyond the reach of Gaza’s residents. With no income for over two years, families have depleted their savings, making basic necessities unaffordable. Although these external shipments have helped reduce market prices for some commodities, the vast majority of the population continues to struggle.

The ongoing situation in Gaza serves as a reminder of the lasting effects of conflict on vulnerable populations. As humanitarian needs persist, the international community faces the challenge of ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most, particularly the children and families who have borne the brunt of the crisis.