Gaza Faces Worsening Humanitarian Crisis as Malnutrition Claims Lives

CAIRO/GENEVA/GAZA, May 7 (Reuters) – The already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated further, with reports of escalating malnutrition leading to preventable deaths, particularly among vulnerable children. The recent death of four-month-old Palestinian baby, Jenan Alskafi, serves as a tragic example of the devastating consequences of the ongoing crisis.

Jenan Alskafi, whose name means "paradise" in Arabic, succumbed to malnutrition and digestive problems, conditions her doctor attributed to the Israeli blockade that aid agencies believe is crippling the entire population’s health. According to her physician, Ragheb Warsh Agha, Jenan required hypoallergenic milk formula, a common product that is now scarce in Gaza. This formula was essential to managing her chronic diarrhea, which led to severe malnutrition, leaving her weakened and unable to fight infection. In her final days, Jenan lost almost half her bodyweight.

The death of the infant has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the desperation faced by families struggling to provide for their children. Aya Alskafi, Jenan’s mother, described the loss of her child as heart-wrenching.

The current crisis in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, following an attack by Hamas. In response, Israel initially cut off most supplies to Gaza. While aid deliveries increased during a ceasefire that began in January, Israel imposed a total blockade when its military campaign resumed in March.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s office has yet to respond to Reuters’ requests for comment on the rising malnutrition levels in Gaza and the reported deaths of vulnerable individuals, including children, due to the blockade. Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that they do not believe Gaza is facing a hunger crisis, asserting that enough aid has entered the enclave to sustain the population. They also maintain that restrictions are necessary to prevent supplies from falling under Hamas’ control. Despite these claims, Israel has also announced plans to expand its military campaign, further exacerbating the distress of displaced Gazans.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that Gazan civilians are unable to access their fields, and fishermen are barred from accessing the sea. This has made the territory almost entirely dependent on external food supplies. However, the last aid delivery permitted by Israel occurred on March 2, coinciding with the end of the ceasefire.

The United Nations and other international aid organizations have repeatedly warned of an unfolding catastrophe. OCHA, the UN’s humanitarian agency, estimates that over 2 million people – the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million population – are experiencing severe food shortages.

Malnutrition is disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic conditions. It is also hindering the recovery of patients with war injuries, as aid stocks dwindle. Jonathan Crickx, head of communications at UNICEF, stated that the situation is deteriorating daily, and that around 9,000 to 10,000 children are currently being treated for malnutrition.

Hunger poses a significant threat to children’s cognitive and physical development, while simultaneously weakening their immune systems. The destruction caused by the Israeli military campaign has left nearly all Gazans homeless, creating unsanitary conditions and increasing the risk of preventable diseases. According to Crickx, children are digging through piles of rubbish in search of food, a practice that raises serious concerns about the potential spread of disease.

The Gaza Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, reports that at least 65,000 children have shown symptoms of malnutrition. The Gaza government media office, also Hamas-controlled, claims that at least 57 people, primarily children, have died due to malnutrition since Israel closed the crossings on March 2. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office has not responded to requests for comment on these numbers.

Beyond the immediate threat of starvation, malnutrition is also exacerbating existing health problems. Medical charity MSF has reported an increase in patients with chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension who lack access to sufficient food or food with adequate protein, nutrients, and vitamins.

An MSF clinic in Gaza City is also seeing more patients seeking treatment for severe wounds, their conditions compounded by a lack of access to food and clean water. Julie Faucon, MSF medical coordinator, noted that patients are often kept in the hospital for months due to complications arising from malnutrition, whereas in normal circumstances, their treatment would only take a few weeks.

According to UN data, there are approximately 350,000 patients with chronic conditions in Gaza, including cancer and diabetes.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society, a local affiliate of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, reports that it has completely run out of medication for heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, as well as nutritional supplements and infant formula. Ambulances are also struggling to operate due to shortages. The organization issued a statement emphasizing that without food, water, medical supplies, and fuel, survival is becoming increasingly difficult. The statement called for the immediate entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable. Ola al-Kafarna, a displaced pregnant woman, described experiencing dizziness due to a lack of food. She lamented the absence of essential foods like eggs and meat, and the struggle to obtain even basic medication.

A World Health Organization report from April indicated that between 10 and 20% of 4,500 surveyed pregnant and breastfeeding women were malnourished. Malnourished pregnant women face a range of complications, including anemia, fatigue, and preterm labor. Faucon explained that mothers are not consuming enough calories daily and are therefore struggling to produce milk. She also highlighted the difficulty in finding infant formula.

The situation in Gaza is desperate, and without immediate and substantial intervention, the humanitarian crisis will continue to worsen, resulting in more preventable deaths and widespread suffering.