Report on Hunger and Medical Evacuations of Children from Gaza

• In Italy, a Palestinian girl evacuated from Gaza due to hunger was admitted.
• Children in Gaza are suffering from a lack of food and medical services.
• UNICEF provides humanitarian aid, but the needs remain significant.

As a result of the conflict in Gaza, which has been ongoing since July 2023, the situation regarding food and health for the population has significantly deteriorated. On September 16, 2025, in a hospital in Pisa, Italy, a 20-year-old Palestinian girl named Mara Abu Zuhri was evacuated from Gaza due to severe malnutrition. She was one of 31 individuals brought to Italy on a humanitarian flight. Doctors described her condition as "very serious," and despite the initial treatment, she was noted to have respiratory distress and cardiac failure.

According to data from the World Food Program, nearly three-quarters of Palestinians in Gaza do not receive enough food daily, while half of the population is on the brink of starvation. Since the start of the conflict, according to UN information, 227 people, including 103 children, have died from hunger and malnutrition.

At the same time, in shelters for displaced persons, such as SOS Children's Village in Khan Younis, children are suffering from severe food shortages. The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing military blockade, which has been in place since March. Children who arrive at the shelter often suffer from hunger and trauma, and many of them require urgent medical assistance.

Recently, energy biscuits from UNICEF were delivered to the shelter, which brought joy to the children who had not received sweets for three months. However, even with these deliveries, the needs of the children remain critical, and it is essential to continue humanitarian evacuations. The UN reports that over 14,800 patients are still waiting for medical evacuation.

Experts emphasize the importance of urgent medical assistance for children suffering from hunger and trauma. Without adequate nutrition, their condition deteriorates, and their future remains uncertain.

Tags: Middle East/Well-being