Gaza mothers starving, infant deaths reach critical levels: UN

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Jul 2025 08:02

UN agencies warn that "Israel's" blockade of Gaza is driving catastrophic hunger among pregnant women and newborns, with soaring death rates and a collapsing health system.

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A Palestinian mother carries her injured child into a treatment tent set up in the yard of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, Friday, July 4, 2025 (AP)

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has issued a grave warning over the dire conditions faced by tens of thousands of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gaza, as extreme hunger continues to jeopardize their health and the survival of their newborns.

In a statement shared by UNFPA’s Arab States Regional Office on X, the agency revealed that approximately 50,000 women in Gaza “haven’t eaten for days.” Malnourishment is preventing mothers from breastfeeding, while baby formula remains unavailable due to ongoing shortages. This has resulted in a spike in premature and underweight births.

“Babies are born too soon, too small,” the post read. “Newborns are at risk of death or lifelong health issues.”

50,000 pregnant & breastfeeding women in #Gaza haven’t eaten for days.

Babies are born too soon, too small.

Mothers are too malnourished to breastfeed — & formula is gone.

Newborns are at risk of death or lifelong health issues.

This is preventable. #OpenUpGaza Let aid in. pic.twitter.com/WiGmv1FGUC
— UNFPA Arab States (@UNFPA_ASRO) July 8, 2025

Labeling the crisis as preventable, UNFPA called for immediate humanitarian access, urging: “#OpenUpGaza Let aid in.”

Gaza aid restrictions deepen humanitarian crisis

UN agencies continue to report severe restrictions on humanitarian access, compounding the suffering of women, children, and other vulnerable groups. Aid organizations have consistently appealed for unimpeded delivery of essential life-saving assistance.

Since the genocide began in October 2023, nearly 57,600 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli occupation forces, the majority of whom are women and children. Constant bombardment has devastated infrastructure, triggered famine-like conditions, and contributed to the spread of disease.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant over charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Separately, "Israel" is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

Child mortality in Gaza surges, MSF survey reveals

Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF) released new data this week pointing to a drastic increase in child mortality across Gaza. According to a retrospective mortality survey conducted by its epidemiological unit, Epicentre, the death rate for children under five has increased tenfold since the war began.

The survey covered 2,523 individuals, including MSF staff and their families. It found that the overall death rate was five times higher than pre-war levels, while mortality among newborns under one month rose sixfold.

“The children of Gaza are being decimated,” said Amande Bazerolle, deputy manager of MSF’s emergency department. “Forty-eight percent of the people who died from blast injuries among our colleagues' households were children, and 40 percent were under 10 years old.”

According to the report, over 2% of those surveyed have died since October 7, 2023, and 7% have sustained injuries. Around 75% of deaths were war-related, mainly due to explosions.

Health system on the brink as Israeli attacks intensify

The survey also underscored the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system. Two-thirds of chronically ill patients reported interruptions in treatment. Even among MSF families, who had relatively better access to care, 20% experienced at least one injury from blasts or gunfire within their household.

“This is the result of the Israeli campaign to systematically destroy the health system and the means of survival of the whole population,” MSF stated.

The organization called on "Israel" to halt what it described as a “genocidal campaign,” lift the blockade, and enable urgent medical evacuations, particularly for children.