According to recent reports from Palestinian medical personnel, six babies have tragically lost their lives over the last fortnight in Gaza, attributable to extreme cold conditions and an acute lack of shelter. Healthcare professionals at the Patient's Friends Benevolent Society hospital in Gaza City reported the admission of nine newborns suffering from cold injuries, with five fatalities and a sixth in critical condition.
In a heartbreaking account, the family of a two-month-old girl near Khan Younis described her death due to the frigid temperatures. Medical officials urged for immediate delivery of shelters and fuel to support approximately 945,000 displaced Palestinians currently living in temporary tents and makeshift accommodations.
Hamas, the governing body in Gaza, has placed blame on Israel, alleging it has not fulfilled pledges to allow critical supplies like tents and caravans to enter during a ceasefire that began five weeks ago. Israeli authorities, however, refute these claims, stating that they are adhering to protocols allowing significant humanitarian aid into Gaza.
In the ongoing humanitarian disaster, many of Gaza’s 2.1 million inhabitants face recurring displacements, with estimates suggesting that about 70% of the territory's buildings have been either damaged or destroyed during the protracted conflict between Israel and Hamas. The health system is in dire straits, with only a fraction of hospitals operating adequately and significant shortages of medical supplies.
Recent weather reports indicate that night-time temperatures have often dropped below 10°C (50°F), plummeting to as low as 3°C (37°F). Dr. Saeed Salah, the medical director at the PFBS hospital, highlighted that this harsh weather has led to newborns suffering from hypothermia, a condition that has claimed young lives all too quickly.
Dr. Salah emphasized the severe lack of safe, insulated shelters and the absence of services like heating and electricity, which compounds the vulnerability of the displaced population.
Additionally, a tragic incident unfolded at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where the corps of a two-month-old girl, named Sham Yousef al-Shambari, was received after dying from hypothermia. Her father recounted how her mother discovered the infant unable to respond during a nighttime feeding.
The director of the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that a total of 15 children have perished during the winter season due to similar causes, calling attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Negotiations surrounding a ceasefire remain precarious, with disputes arising over prisoner releases and humanitarian assistance adherence. The Israeli military's efforts to dismantle Hamas were initiated following an unprecedented attack on October 7, which resulted in widespread casualties and retaliation from Israeli forces.
In light of these urgent conditions, healthcare professionals and humanitarian groups stress the need for immediate action to prevent further loss of life among vulnerable populations in the region.
