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UN Survey Shows Minimal Malnutrition Amid Gaza Famine Claims

8/12/2026

Summary

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Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said the UN survey, covering 83% of Gaza, found malnutrition at 0.2%-0.8% by weight-for-height and 1.3% by mid-upper arm circumference, with no widespread cases observed.
Danon said starvation claims used Hamas data and a 2025 UN estimate of 14,000 babies, clarified as an 11-month projection.
The UN’s Phase Classification declared a Phase 5 famine in August 2025 and reported that 1.2 million Gaza residents faced Phase 3 or worse April–June 2026.

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Story summary

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said the UN survey, covering 83% of Gaza, found malnutrition at 0.2%-0.8% by weight-for-height and 1.3% by mid-upper arm circumference, with no widespread cases observed.
Danon said starvation claims used Hamas data and a 2025 UN estimate of 14,000 babies, clarified as an 11-month projection.
The UN’s Phase Classification declared a Phase 5 famine in August 2025 and reported that 1.2 million Gaza residents faced Phase 3 or worse April–June 2026.