Gaza Faces Catastrophic Malnutrition Surge

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported on Thursday that Israel's restrictions on aid deliveries to Gaza have created a malnutrition crisis, severely impacting pregnant women and newborns. The medical charity's analysis, based on data from four health facilities in Gaza between late 2024 and early 2026, indicates a significant increase in malnutrition rates among pregnant women, leading to higher instances of premature births and infant mortality.

MSF's findings show that over 50% of women at two hospitals experienced malnutrition during pregnancy between June 2025 and January 2026, with 25% remaining malnourished at delivery. Consequently, 90% of babies born under these conditions were premature, and 84% had low birth weight. The World Health Organization states that low-birth-weight infants are 20 times more likely to die and face increased risks of stunted growth and cognitive impairment.

The organization stated that malnutrition was nearly absent in Gaza prior to October 2023. MSF identified its first cases of child malnutrition in January 2024. The charity also criticized the functionality and safety of food distribution centers, noting that only approximately 150 aid trucks enter Gaza daily, despite a reported agreement for 600.