Gaza: Six babies have died from cold in two weeks, medics say

According to Palestinian medical personnel and health officials, at least six infants have died in the Gaza Strip in the past two weeks due to cold weather and a lack of adequate shelter and heating. The harsh living conditions pose a serious threat to the health of newborns in the area, drawing widespread concern from the international community. This situation underscores the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the region.

Doctors at the Patient's Friends Charitable Association Hospital in northern Gaza City reported receiving nine newborns suffering from frostbite, five of whom have died, with another in critical condition. Additionally, the family of a two-month-old girl stated that she tragically passed away near the southern city of Khan Younis due to the cold. These tragic incidents highlight the severity of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, demanding immediate action.

The Patient's Friends Charitable Association Hospital has called for the urgent delivery of caravans and fuel to improve the living conditions of approximately 945,000 displaced Palestinians living in tents and temporary shelters. The hospital emphasized the pressing need to improve the living environment for these families to prevent further tragedies. This appeal reflects the immense pressure and resource shortages faced by the healthcare system in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian armed group Hamas has accused Israel of failing to allow the entry of agreed-upon tents, caravans, and other shelter materials during the ceasefire that began five weeks ago. Israel has denied this. The dispute between the two sides over the delivery of humanitarian aid is further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The civilians in the area are struggling to survive amidst conflict and harsh weather conditions.

According to weather websites, nighttime temperatures in the Gaza Strip have frequently dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in the past two weeks. Dr. Said Salah, the medical director of the Patient's Friends Charitable Association Hospital, warned in a video that three infants suffering from frostbite, including hypothermia, had died during the same period. He stated that these infants were only one or two days old and weighed between 1.7 kg and 2 kg. The frigid weather poses an extreme threat to the survival of newborns.

Since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israel has launched a military operation aimed at destroying Hamas. According to the Gaza Strip's health ministry, at least 48,348 people have died in Gaza since then. This conflict has resulted in a large number of casualties and has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The ongoing conflict and harsh living conditions have caused profound harm to the local population.