GAZA, October 16, 2026 (WAFA) — Medical sources warned that malnutrition and starvation in the Gaza Strip have reached catastrophic levels, claiming the lives of children, older people and other vulnerable groups as Israel's genocidal war continues into its third year, leaving hunger a daily reality.

In a statement marking World Food Day, the sources said 466 deaths linked to malnutrition and starvation had been recorded since 2024.

They warned that more than 1.4 million Palestinians, representing 67% of the population, are projected to face crisis-level food insecurity or worse through the end of 2026, following the official declaration of famine in Gaza Governorate in August 2025.

The sources reported 157 child deaths due to malnutrition, accounting for approximately one-third of all starvation-related deaths. They added that 158,001 cases of acute malnutrition had been recorded among children under five between 2024 and August 2026, including 28,716 severe cases posing a life-threatening risk.

Under-five mortality rose from 13.6 to 33.4 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2022 and 2025, while 12.2% of children suffer from stunting. The sources also warned that 74,200 children will require treatment for acute malnutrition through April 2027.

Maternal health has also deteriorated sharply, with anemia among pregnant women rising to 61% in 2026, up from 41% before the genocidal war.

Nearly 4,000 pregnancy losses were recorded during the first half of 2026, more than three times the number reported in the preceding six months. One in three pregnancies was classified as high-risk.

Older people account for the largest share of malnutrition-related deaths, with 189 fatalities, representing 40.5% of the total.

The sources added that 11% of older people had gone an entire day without eating, while 48% reduced their own food portions to provide for their families. Meanwhile, 68% had stopped taking or reduced their medication doses because their medicines were no longer available.

M.N