Doctors Without Borders warns of alarming rise in malnutrition in Gaza

The international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF) has issued a stark warning about the worsening hunger crisis in the Gaza Strip, reporting an “unprecedented rise” in acute malnutrition among the civilian population amid ongoing hostilities and severe aid restrictions.

MSF teams operating in the besieged enclave have observed a dramatic surge in malnutrition cases, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. In its health centres located in Gaza City and the coastal town of Al-Mawasi, MSF is currently treating over 700 women and nearly 500 children suffering from severe and moderate malnutrition, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

According to the organisation, the number of malnutrition cases at its Gaza City clinic has nearly quadrupled in just under two months—from 293 in May to 983 in early July. Of these, 326 cases involve infants and toddlers between the ages of six and 23 months.

"This is the first time we have witnessed such a severe scale of malnutrition cases in Gaza," said Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, MSF’s deputy medical coordinator in the Strip. He stressed the gravity of the situation, describing it as the result of deliberate policies. "The starvation of people in Gaza is intentional. It can end tomorrow if the Israeli authorities allow food in at scale," he added.

Israel, which maintains full control over Gaza’s border crossings, has been restricting the entry of food and essential supplies into the territory. While the blockade was somewhat eased at the end of May, the flow of humanitarian aid remains severely limited. MSF says Israel not only controls what aid can enter but also tightly regulates its distribution, effectively militarising the process.

The Israeli government defends these restrictions by alleging that humanitarian aid may be seized by Hamas. However, United Nations agencies have stated that there is no evidence to support claims that aid is being diverted by militants.

MSF is urgently calling for the immediate and unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance, including food and medical supplies, and for the protection of civilians under international humanitarian law.

The ongoing war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other armed factions launched a surprise assault on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Since then, Israel has launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza, resulting in widespread destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis.

By Vugar Khalilov