Rising Malnutrition Deaths in Gaza Amid Israeli Military Plans

The Hamas-run health ministry reports that malnutrition-related deaths in Gaza have increased to 212, including 98 children, amid ongoing Israeli military activities. A controversial Israeli plan targeting Gaza City, scheduled for October 2025, has intensified fears of forced evacuations and further humanitarian crises.

A grim report from the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza indicates that an additional 11 people have succumbed to malnutrition, escalating the total death toll from this dire issue to 212, with 98 of those being children. The situation is compounded by Israeli military actions in the region, which have led to at least 38 deaths and 491 injuries over the past 24 hours alone.

As malnutrition rates rise, a controversial Israeli plan has sparked widespread concerns. Israeli officials have set a deadline of October 7, 2025, for residents to vacate Gaza City, as part of a broader strategy to establish control over the territory. This plan, recently approved by the Israeli security cabinet, outlines five principles aimed at concluding the ongoing conflict, with a particular emphasis on taking security control of Gaza.

The intention behind the operation seems to focus primarily on Gaza City, where there are currently close to one million residents. The plan calls for relocating these individuals further south, a move that has drawn significant criticism from global leaders and even from within Israel. Military officials and families of hostages express deep concerns for the lives of those still held captive, fearing for their safety amidst possible escalations.

Israel’s Defence Minister has dismissed such criticisms, insisting that external condemnation will not diminish the nation’s resolve. Meanwhile, U.S. comments, including from former President Donald Trump, have suggested that the decision to fully occupy Gaza is largely up to Israel.

As reports circulate about the looming military siege scheduled for October 2025, humanitarian organizations have vehemently condemned the initiative, fearing it will exacerbate the existing dire conditions for Palestinians. Many are already struggling with severe shortages of food and basic necessities, as UN experts warn that a "worst-case scenario of famine" could soon unfold.

Despite the intense situation, Israel asserts that there is no starvation in Gaza, attributing issues with aid distribution to UN agencies and claiming that Hamas is creating chaos around food distribution points. The UN's humanitarian agency has encountered consistent delays in aid delivery, and recent reports indicate that 21 people have died while trying to access food in the past day alone.

As fatalities among those seeking food continue to rise, the conflict remains deeply unresolved, particularly given that reports suggest Hamas may retaliate against Israeli forces, potentially endangering the hostages still believed to be alive in Gaza. Since the onset of Israeli military operations following Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, more than 61,300 individuals have reportedly died in Gaza, underscoring the profound humanitarian crisis unfolding in the area. The impending military actions and forced displacements could lead to further tragedies as the situation develops.