'Facts prevail over fiction,' Danon says as new UNICEF-led survey challenges Gaza famine claims

A UNICEF-coordinated nutrition survey in Gaza found acute malnutrition rates between 0.2% and 0.8%, levels comparable to or below pre-war figures and lower than in neighboring countries. Israel's UN ambassador Danny Danon said this proves the 'false narrative' of famine is falling apart. The survey also flagged stunting, overweight, and unhealthy diets as concerns.

A newly published UNICEF-coordinated nutrition survey in the Gaza Strip found low levels of acute malnutrition among children, with rates ranging from 0.2% to 0.8% across the Strip. These figures are comparable to or below pre-war levels and significantly lower than in neighboring countries such as Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said the survey proves that the 'false narrative against Israel' of a famine is falling apart, adding that 'facts prevail over fiction.' The Foreign Ministry stated there is no famine in Gaza. The survey also highlighted other concerns: stunting affects about one in eight children, indicating longer-term nutritional stress; overweight is present; and unhealthy food consumption is high, with 78% in Khan Younis and Rafah and 64% in Gaza City and northern Gaza not eating fruit or vegetables. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (ICP) reported in July that nutrition in Gaza has improved since early 2026, classifying it at Phase One, but warned it could drop to Phase Two between July and December 2026.