UNICEF Reports Sharp Rise in Underweight Newborns Amid Gaza Food Crisis

The number of severely underweight babies born in Gaza has nearly doubled since the war began, according to the United Nations children's agency. This alarming increase points to a deepening health crisis for pregnant women and newborns. UNICEF reports that from July to September, an average of 460 underweight babies were born each month. A communication manager for the agency stated this figure is "almost double the pre-war average." Public health experts consider the rate of underweight births a key indicator of maternal health and malnutrition. The surge suggests that widespread hunger is severely impacting pregnant women, affecting their babies' development before birth. UNICEF and other aid agencies have repeatedly warned of famine-like conditions in Gaza. They stress that preventing malnutrition, especially for mothers and children, requires sustained humanitarian access and a major increase in food and medical aid.