The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has issued a stark warning over a sharp rise in malnutrition cases in the Gaza Strip, particularly among children, as Israel’s ongoing blockade continues to choke the flow of humanitarian aid.

In a statement published Sunday, UNRWA said its health clinics in Gaza have witnessed a significant increase in cases of malnutrition since March, when Israeli forces tightened restrictions on the entry of food, medicine, and other critical supplies.

The agency attributed the growing health crisis to the blockade and the severe disruption of aid deliveries, calling it a direct threat to the lives of Gaza’s most vulnerable residents, especially children and women.

"Restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, are worsening already dire living and health conditions," the statement said.

UNRWA further warned that the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system, coupled with deepening poverty and food insecurity, is pushing the population toward an irreversible humanitarian disaster.

The agency called on the international community to act urgently to ensure the unhindered delivery of life-saving assistance to Gaza and to take immediate steps to halt the worsening crisis.

“The situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating into a full-scale emergency,” the agency warned. “We urge all parties to respect humanitarian principles and facilitate the entry of essential supplies.”

Human rights groups and UN officials have repeatedly raised concerns about the humanitarian consequences of the blockade, which has been intensified amid the ongoing Israeli military campaign in the enclave.

Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, already strained by years of conflict and underfunding, is now on the verge of total collapse. Medical personnel are struggling to treat even basic illnesses, while children suffering from malnutrition are being left without adequate care.

The warning from UNRWA adds to growing international pressure for an immediate humanitarian corridor and a sustainable ceasefire that would allow the entry of critical supplies and provide relief to Gaza’s besieged population. (ILKHA)