Lifelong Effects of Hunger on Children in Gaza

The ongoing crisis in Gaza is severely impacting the health and development of its youngest residents. With nearly 2.1 million people affected, chronic malnutrition and food shortages threaten to leave lasting scars on children, especially those under five and newborns. Despite a limited influx of aid trucks—about 19 months into Israel's blockade—the supplies are insufficient to meet the needs of the population. Medical professionals warn that these shortages are causing delayed physical and mental growth in children, potentially leading to dwarfism, cognitive deficits, and delayed motor development.

Malnutrition also compromises immune systems, making children more vulnerable to diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia, which are exacerbated in a war-torn environment with limited medical resources. Experts highlight that malnutrition during pregnancy and early infancy can permanently impair brain development, affecting a child’s future potential. Premature births, often caused by maternal malnutrition leading to weak placentas, are on the rise, further threatening child survival. Many hospitals report critically low supplies of medicines and nutrition, with some facilities barely able to provide basic food or medical care.

The United Nations and aid organizations estimate that thousands of children face severe malnutrition, with the risk of famine escalating if blockades persist. Stocks of therapeutic foods, milk, and essential nutrients are nearly exhausted, and the limited number of food aid trucks cannot adequately serve Gaza’s needs. Emergency measures, including high-energy nutritional supplements and improved maternal health services, are urgently needed to prevent long-term developmental damage.

Researchers warn that the impacts of this crisis will not only affect children today but could have enduring effects lasting decades. Addressing these needs with sustained humanitarian aid is crucial to mitigate the profound and lasting consequences of hunger on Gaza’s children.