Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
A UNICEF survey in accessible areas of Gaza found that about one percent of children showed signs of acute malnutrition between May and June 2026, a significant decrease from previous years. However, 12.2 percent of children were chronically malnourished, reflecting the cumulative effects of over two years of war and food insecurity, despite increased humanitarian aid following the October 2025 ceasefire.
The conflict led to severe food entry restrictions and the destruction of 87 percent of cropland, resulting in famine conditions by August 2025. At that time, 17,000 children were treated for acute malnutrition in hospitals. Since the ceasefire, eased restrictions have allowed more aid, reducing acute cases to 3,000 by March 2026, but chronic malnutrition remains a concern.
Nearly one in ten women of reproductive age were found to be malnourished, increasing the risk of delivering low birth weight babies and passing nutrient deficiencies to their children. Although breastfeeding rates remain high, only 20 to 30 percent of toddlers consume adequately diverse diets, increasing risks to child growth and health. Many children also lack timely treatment for illnesses such as diarrhoea, and vaccination rates remain below levels needed for herd immunity.
UNICEF’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Edouard Beigbeder, noted that while acute malnutrition can improve within weeks, the developmental damage caused by stunting may be permanent. The survey included nearly 1,335 children and over 2,000 households, offering a representative view of food security conditions in accessible areas of Gaza.