GAZA, July 20, 2025 (WAFA) – A four-year-old girl has died from severe malnutrition and hunger in the Gaza Strip, as the humanitarian situation in the enclave continues to deteriorate due to the total Israeli siege imposed on the region.
Medical sources at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah confirmed that the girl, identified as Razan Abu Zaher, passed away on Sunday due to complications arising from acute malnutrition.
Hospitals across Gaza are currently overwhelmed, treating hundreds of patients—both children and adults—suffering from extreme exhaustion and hunger-related illnesses. Medical staff report that the healthcare system is on the verge of collapse, with a severe shortage of hospital beds, medicine, and essential supplies.
According to medical officials, an estimated 17,000 children in Gaza are suffering from acute malnutrition. Many are arriving at hospitals exhibiting symptoms such as physical collapse, memory loss, and severe fatigue—direct consequences of prolonged hunger.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) had previously warned of a sharp rise in child malnutrition. Between March and June, UNRWA’s health centers conducted nearly 74,000 screenings for children under the age of five. These screenings revealed approximately 5,500 cases of severe acute malnutrition and over 800 classified as the most critical.
UNRWA attributes the worsening crisis to the ongoing Israeli blockade of Gaza, which has drastically limited access to food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid.
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