In Gaza, at least six infants have tragically succumbed to the biting cold over the past two weeks, according to local medics and health officials. Medical teams at the Patient's Friends Benevolent Society (PFBS) hospital in Gaza City reported that nine newborns suffering from cold-related injuries were admitted, resulting in five fatalities, with another baby critically ill. The family of a two-month-old girl near Khan Younis also reported her death was due to the extreme cold overnight.
The PFBS hospital has issued urgent calls for the delivery of caravans and heating fuel to help improve conditions for approximately 945,000 displaced Palestinians currently residing in tents and makeshift shelters. The Palestinian armed group Hamas has accused Israel of obstructing the entry of necessary humanitarian supplies during a five-week ceasefire arrangement. However, Israeli officials have refuted these claims.
Gaza, home to around 2.1 million residents, has seen nearly 70% of its buildings damaged or destroyed due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas over the past 16 months, displacing many people multiple times. The region's healthcare system is in disarray, with only 18 out of 35 hospitals partially operational and facing shortages of critical medical supplies.
Over the last fortnight, the night temperatures in Gaza have frequently dipped below 10°C (50°F), even reaching a chilling low of 3°C (37°F) recently. Dr. Saeed Salah, medical director at PFBS, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that the babies suffering from hypothermia were mere days old, weighing between 1.7 kg and 2 kg (3.7-4.4 lbs).
Further compounding the tragedy, a paediatrician from the hospital, Dr. Samer Lubad, revealed that out of the nine neonates treated, three had been saved and sent home, while another remained in the neonatal intensive care unit in critical condition. The harsh conditions are seen as a direct result of the cold weather, combined with the lack of safe, heated shelters and reliable electricity across Gaza.
On a particularly distressing note, the head of the paediatric department at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis announced the arrival of a two-month-old girl’s body, reportedly due to hypothermia. A local journalist shared a video showing her father and uncle laying her to rest, amidst claims that her mother found her "stiff as wood from the cold."
Dr. Muneer al-Boursh, director of Hamas’ health ministry in Gaza, reported that a total of 15 children have died from cold exposure since the winter began, and he accused Israel of failing to adhere to humanitarian protocols, which include allowing medical equipment and heating supplies into the region.
In light of these grave circumstances, Israeli officials claimed they are facilitating humanitarian aid, asserting that 4,200 aid trucks, including shelter supplies, have been allowed into Gaza weekly under the current ceasefire deal.
As discussions surrounding the potential continuation of the ceasefire loom, further uncertainty remains, especially after Israel postponed the release of numerous Palestinian prisoners, a decision that has strained negotiations and raised concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
