New UN-led survey shows low levels of malnutrition in children from Gaza

A newly published UNICEF-led survey revealed that the levels of malnutrition in children are lower or similar to those registered before the Israel-Hamas war, with Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon saying on Thursday that it was proof that the "false narrative against Israel" of there being a famine in the Gaza Strip is falling apart."Once again, facts prevail over fiction," Danon said. "UN bodies are acknowledging that the false narrative against Israel is falling apart.""Israel is not starving children. Israel is fighting Hamas terrorism, while Hamas uses civilians in Gaza as human shields. Those who rushed to accuse Israel must now be held accountable for spreading lies."The nutrition survey, which was coordinated by the UNICEF, showed that children in Gaza have low levels of acute malnutrition.Using internationally recognized World Health Organization (WHO) methodology, researchers measured children's weight, height, and mid-upper-arm circumference to assess acute malnutrition using the Weight-for-Height Z-score (WHZ).According to the results of the survey, acute malnutrition rates across Gaza ranged between 0.2% and 0.8%.These are levels comparable to or below those recorded in Gaza prior to the Israel-Hamas War, and are significantly lower than those reported in neighboring countries, including Egypt, Jordan, and Syria."In other words," the Foreign Ministry, in its own statement to X/Twitter, added, "There is no famine in Gaza." "Malnutrition is not only significantly below the critical values – it is exceptionally low in regional comparison. Anyone who is still open to arguments can look at the empirical data themselves."A new study commissioned by UNICEF shows that the nutritional situation in Gaza – contrary to all propaganda – is today better than in all neighboring Arab states and even better than in some European countries.The proportion of acute malnutrition among children under five… pic.twitter.com/eiIoaeqNip— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) August 6, 2026Stunting, overweight, unhealthy dietThe survey also presented several other concerns regarding children's nutrition in the Gaza Strip.In the study, stunting is noted as a main child nutrition concern, affecting about one in eight children. This points to "longer-term nutritional stress and repeated deprivation beyond immediate wasting," according to the survey.It added that overweight is also present across the Strip, and that the "coexistence of wasting, stunting and overweighthighlights the importance of diet quality, not only food quantity."In Khan Younis and Rafah, the survey found that unhealthy food consumption reached a high of 78%, while in Gaza City and northern Gaza, some 64% do not eat fruit or vegetables.ICP: Nutrition in Gaza has improved since early 2026In a report released on July 23, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (ICP) said that since the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in October 2025, "large-scale assistance has driven improvements in food security and nutrition conditions across the Gaza Strip," but noted that "needs remain high."ICP added that the nutrition situation in the Gaza Strip improved since early 2026, and classified the nutrition level at Phase One (less than five percent of children are acutely malnurished) of its Acute Malnutrition table between mid-April. It warned, however, that the level could drop to Phase Two (five to 9.9% percent of children are acutely malnurished) between July and December 2026.