The Palestinian Ministry of Health recorded 466 deaths due to malnutrition and starvation in Gaza since 2024. Famine was officially declared in the Gaza Governorate starting in August 2025. Projections indicate that more than 1.4 million citizens, or 67% of the population, may face acute food crisis levels or worse by the end of 2026.
Child Malnutrition and Mortality Rates
Medical records show 157 children died due to malnutrition, a figure representing one-third of all starvation-related deaths in the region. Between 2024 and August 2026, medical teams documented 158,001 cases of acute malnutrition among children under the age of five. Of these patients, 28,716 cases were identified as life-threatening instances of severe malnutrition.
Health data indicates the mortality rate for children under five increased from 13.6 to 33.4 per 1,000 live births between 2022 and 2025. Current evaluations estimate that 12.2% of children in the population suffer from stunting. Projections based on these figures suggest that 74,200 children will require urgent medical treatment for malnutrition by April 2027.
Impact on Elderly Populations
Elderly residents face severe risks as the food crisis continues. Official records show 189 elderly people died due to starvation, a figure accounting for 40.5% of total starvation-related deaths in Gaza. These fatalities reflect the heightened vulnerability of older citizens who struggle to access consistent nutrition.
Daily dietary patterns confirm the strain on this demographic. Statistics indicate that 11% of the elderly population did not eat any meal for a full day. 48% of elderly individuals reduced their own food portions to provide more for their families.
Medical access for this group is also declining as essential supplies disappear. Data shows 68% of the elderly population stopped or reduced their medication doses due to ongoing shortages. This reduction in treatment, coupled with the lack of food, places the elderly at an increased risk of health complications as the crisis in the Gaza Governorate persists.
Maternal Health and Pregnancy Risks
Pregnancy health in the Gaza Governorate has deteriorated significantly as nutritional deficits impact the maternal population. Anemia rates among pregnant women reached 61% in 2026. This figure marks an increase from the 41% prevalence rate recorded before the war.
Medical facilities also documented a rise in obstetric complications linked to the broader food crisis. Health records show approximately 4,000 cases of pregnancy loss during the first half of 2026. These figures reflect the physical strain on expectant mothers as access to essential nutrition and prenatal care remains limited across the region.