At least six babies have succumbed to the extreme cold in Gaza over the last two weeks, medical sources report, underscoring the grim reality faced by the region's vulnerable population amidst ongoing conflicts. Medics working at the Patient's Friends Benevolent Society (PFBS) hospital in Gaza City revealed that nine newborns suffering from cold-related injuries had been admitted. Tragically, five of these infants died, with one remaining in critical condition.
The family of a two-month-old girl confirmed she also perished due to the cold near Khan Younis. In light of the death toll, the PFBS hospital urgently called for the immediate delivery of caravans and fuel to improve living conditions for the nearly 945,000 displaced Palestinians, many residing in tents or makeshift shelters.
The conflict has displaced a major portion of Gaza's 2.1 million residents multiple times over 16 months, with estimates suggesting that around 70% of buildings are either damaged or destroyed. The healthcare system is in dire straits, with only 18 of 35 hospitals operating partially and a critical shortage of medical supplies.
Recent meteorological reports indicate that night-time temperatures in Gaza have consistently dropped below 10°C (50°F), plunging to as low as 3°C (37°F) on Monday night. Dr. Saeed Salah, the medical director at PFBS, indicated that three of the babies who died were only a couple of days old and weighed between 1.7kg and 2.0kg (3.7-4.4lbs).
Dr. Salah expressed grave concerns about the conditions, stating that hypothermia and cold injuries primarily led to the infants' deaths, attributing these issues to the severe lack of shelter, heating, and electricity in the region. Meanwhile, in Khan Younis, pediatricians reported another death resulting from hypothermia—a two-month-old girl named Sham Yousef al-Shambari, whose family described her as “stiff as wood” from the cold when found by her mother inside their tent.
According to Dr. Muneer al-Boursh, Hamas's health ministry head, the situation is dire, with 15 children reportedly having died from the cold this winter alone. He blamed Israel for not adhering to humanitarian agreements related to supplying essentials, like tents and medical equipment.
Israeli military officials countered these claims, stating that they have met their obligations by allowing the entry of thousands of humanitarian aid trucks weekly, including supplies meant for shelter and heating. As the ceasefire negotiations loom, uncertainty remains about its future, amid allegations of violations from both sides over the handling of prisoner exchanges and ongoing hostilities.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the situation for those living in Gaza remains precarious, with urgent calls for assistance becoming increasingly critical in light of rising infant mortality rates due to the harsh winter.
