Gaza Herald- The Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported a sharp rise in malnutrition among newborns, particularly in Gaza City, as thousands of infants are now being born underweight. This surge is directly linked to widespread maternal malnutrition during pregnancy.
The health ministry warned that prolonged malnutrition among pregnant women severely hampers fetal development, leading to low birth weight (LBW), a condition that significantly increases the risk of illness, developmental delays, and infant mortality.
UNICEF has earlier raised concern over the severe starvation crisis in the Strip, noting that the rate of acute malnutrition among pregnant women has spiked. As a result, the percentage of underweight newborns in Gaza has doubled, from 5% before the war to between 10% and 15% during the ongoing conflict.
Gaza’s health crisis stems from over 17 years of blockade and movement restrictions imposed on Gaza. The near-total closure of border crossings has created severe shortages of essential foods and prenatal supplements. Humanitarian aid convoys continue to face Israeli barriers in delivering critical supplies, exacerbating an already desperate nutritional emergency.
The surge in underweight births is one of many signs of Gaza’s collapsing healthcare system. It underscores the urgent need for unimpeded humanitarian access to address malnutrition, protect maternal and infant health, and prevent further loss of life.
