The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned of worsening malnutrition and unprecedented genetic changes in premature babies born in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the agency said its clinics in Gaza have witnessed "a noticeable increase in malnutrition cases," especially among children and the most vulnerable groups — a sign of an impending humanitarian catastrophe amid the near-total collapse of the health system and soaring poverty levels.

UNRWA’s media advisor, Adnan Abu Hasna, stated that 70,000 children in Gaza are suffering from malnutrition, and 90% of Gaza’s population faces nutritional deficiencies. He added that premature infants are now being born with unprecedented genetic changes due to the dire conditions, and hospitals are running out of medicine while medical teams are exhausted.

He also noted that Israeli killing operations — via airstrikes and shelling — have surged to over 110 deaths per day in recent days.