Over the past fortnight, six newborns have tragically lost their lives in Gaza attributed to dangerously cold weather and insufficient shelter, according to Palestinian healthcare workers. Reports from the Patient's Friends Benevolent Society hospital reveal that nine infants suffering from cold-related injuries were admitted, leading to five fatalities and another critically ill infant among them.
The family of a two-month-old girl confirmed her death due to cold exposure near Khan Younis, deepening the alarm over deteriorating living conditions. Healthcare officials are demanding immediate delivery of caravans and fuel to help the nearly 945,000 displaced Palestinians currently residing in tents and makeshift shelters, which lack appropriate winterization.
The humanitarian crisis has escalated in a region where almost 70% of buildings have been destroyed or heavily damaged as a result of the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas. The healthcare system is on the verge of collapse, leaving only 18 of 35 hospitals partially operational amid critical shortages of medical supplies.
Nighttime temperatures in Gaza have consistently dipped below 10°C (50°F), reaching alarming lows of 3°C (37°F) recently. Doctors at the PFBS hospital noted an increasing incidence of cold injuries among the newborns, with the medical director warning of infant fatalities due to hypothermia.
Dr. Saeed Salah emphasized that these conditions resulted from a combination of severe weather, disrupted supply chains, and a lack of heating solutions. Similarly, reports from Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis indicate that medical staff received another infant's body, who fell victim to hypothermia.
Authorities from Hamas have accused Israel of obstructing the entry of adequate aid provisions, including tents and medical supplies, despite a ceasefire agreement in effect for five weeks. While claims of compliance with humanitarian protocols have been made by Israeli officials, the situation on the ground paints a different picture, with many families facing dire living conditions in the absence of proper shelter.
In light of this tragedy, the humanitarian community has been called upon to urgently respond to the needs of the struggling population as uncertainty looms over the continuation of the ceasefire and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
