In a small home in Gaza, Hidaya Al-Motawaq cradles her son Mohammad, whose tiny body tells a story far too common in the region. At 18 months old, Mohammad weighs less than 10 pounds - a weight appropriate for a newborn, not a growing toddler.
The heartbreaking case of Mohammad Al-Motawaq, the 18-month-old starving in Gaza, has become a symbol of the widespread malnutrition affecting children in the territory. Pediatricians report his development is severely stunted, with visible signs of wasting - the medical term for when a child becomes dangerously thin.
Medical professionals warn that Mohammad's condition is not isolated. The blockade and ongoing conflict have created what aid organizations describe as a generational health catastrophe. Chronic malnutrition in early childhood can lead to irreversible cognitive and physical impairments.
UNICEF reports that Gaza's child malnutrition rates have tripled in recent months, with nearly 1 in 3 children under two showing signs of acute malnutrition. The lack of adequate nutrition during this critical window of development may condemn an entire generation to lifelong health challenges.