ETIDIOH - NEW

  More than ten days into the latest escalation of conflict in the Middle East, health systems across the Region are coming under strain as injuries and displacement rise , attacks on health care continue , and public health risks increase . National health authorities in Iran report more than 1300 deaths and 9000 injuries , and in Lebanon report at least 570 deaths and more than 1400 injuries . In Israel , authorities report 15 deaths and 2142 injuries . At the same time , the conflict is affecting the very services meant to save lives.  In Iran, WHO has verified 18 attacks on health care since 28 February, resulting in 8 deaths among health workers .  Over the same period in Lebanon, 25 attacks on health care have resulted in 16 deaths and 29 injuries. These attacks not only cost lives but deprive communities of care when they need it most.  Health workers , patients and health facilities must always be protected under international humanitarian law. Beyond the imm...

  Summary Background Since October, 2023, Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip have suffered war-induced displacement, food insecurity, malnutrition, and elevated risks of famine and mortality . In this study, we aimed to document the extent of, and patterns in, wasting malnutrition in children aged 6–59 months across the Gaza Strip between January, 2024, and August, 2025. Methods This longitudinal, cross-sectional, surveillance study was conducted across a total of 16 UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East health centres and 78 medical points established within school shelters and tent encampments across the five governorates of Gaza. Children aged 6–59 months were screened for wasting malnutrition by mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurement. Children with a MUAC of less than 125 mm were enrolled into therapeutic feeding regimens. MUAC Z scores were derived from published WHO age-specific and sex-specific arm circumferential growth curves. Month...

  Summary Background Since October, 2023, Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip have suffered war-induced displacement, food insecurity, malnutrition, and elevated risks of famine and mortality. In this study, we aimed to document the extent of, and patterns in, wasting malnutrition in children aged 6–59 months across the Gaza Strip between January, 2024, and August, 2025. Methods This longitudinal, cross-sectional, surveillance study was conducted across a total of 16 UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East health centres and 78 medical points established within school shelters and tent encampments across the five governorates of Gaza . Children aged 6–59 months were screened for wasting malnutrition by mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurement. Children with a MUAC of less than 125 mm were enrolled into therapeutic feeding regimens. MUAC Z scores were derived from published WHO age-specific and sex-specific arm circumferential growth curves. Month...

  16 September 2025  Senior independent rights investigators appointed by the Human Rights Council alleged on Tuesday that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide, a charge flatly rejected by Tel Aviv . In a new report published against the backdrop of intensifying Israeli military operations in Gaza City , the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory , including East Jerusalem, and Israel, urged Israel and all countries to fulfil their obligations under international law “to end the genocide ” and punish those responsible. “The Commission finds that Israel is responsible for the commission of genocide in Gaza ,” insisted Navi Pillay, Chair of the Commission . “It is clear that there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention.” At a press conference in Geneva, the panel’s members - who are not UN staff but instead appointed by the Human Rights Cou...

  Overview Starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at the highest levels ever since the conflict began almost two years ago .  Deliberate blocking and delay of large-scale food, health , and humanitarian aid has cost many lives. Malnutrition is on a dangerous trajectory in the Gaza Strip , marked by a spike in deaths in July.  As of 5 September 2025, 361 Palestinians have died due to malnutrition , including 130 children .  As of 15 August 2025, Famine (IPC Phase 5)—with reasonable evidence—is confirmed in Gaza Governorate .  After 22 months of relentless conflict , over half a million people in the Gaza Strip are facing catastrophic conditions characterised by starvation, destitution and death.  Another 1.07 million people (54%) are in Emergency (IPC Phase 4), and 396 000 people (20%) are in Crisis (IPC Phase 3). More broadly, since 7 October 2023 , as reported by Ministry of Health (MoH), the number of casualties include 63 746 fatalities and 161 245 inju...