Seven Palestinian babies die of hypothermia in Gaza amid aid restrictions

Seven Palestinian babies have died from hypothermia in Gaza since Sunday, according to local health officials, who warn that the death toll will continue to rise without an increase in humanitarian aid.

The babies, mostly newborns, were victims of the harsh winter conditions in Gaza, where the ongoing blockade and destruction of infrastructure have worsened the living conditions for families, particularly those in displacement camps.

Dr. Saeed Salah, the medical director at the Patient’s Friends Benevolent Society Hospital in northern Gaza, described the rising number of babies suffering from hypothermia as a “disaster,” and emphasized the urgent need for aid to prevent further deaths.

In the past two weeks alone, eight babies with hypothermia have been admitted to Gaza City’s medical facilities, and three of them died within hours of arrival.

On Tuesday, a 69-day-old baby died from the cold, and on Wednesday, a two-month-old infant also succumbed to hypothermia.

According to Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, director general of Gaza’s Ministry of Health, cold waves are exacerbating the crisis, with newborns being the most vulnerable. "Cold waves are causing more victims every day, especially among newborns, due to the destruction of health facilities, medical equipment, and the lack of essential supplies,” he stated.

The dire situation is compounded by a severe shortage of medical resources and shelter. Many displaced families are living in tents, struggling to survive without adequate heating, while hospitals have been destroyed or are operating at minimal capacity. With just 20 out of 35 hospitals partially functioning, the medical system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, international organizations, including the UK-based Medical Aid for Palestinians, have condemned the restrictions on aid entering Gaza, blaming Israel’s blockade for the preventable deaths of these infants.

"Newborns should not be dying of hypothermia in Gaza. This is not a tragedy of nature but a man-made crisis,” said Fikr Shalltoot, Gaza director for the NGO. “If adequate aid, including shelter supplies, were allowed to reach civilians and hospitals, these deaths would be entirely preventable."

The ongoing Israeli's war on Gaza, now exacerbated by the harsh winter conditions, has left nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced, many of whom are seeking refuge in tents and makeshift shelters without the resources necessary to survive the cold.

As temperatures continue to drop, the need for immediate humanitarian relief, including heating, medical supplies, and shelter materials, becomes more critical than ever.

Israel’s restrictions on aid shipments have been a major factor in the worsening conditions in Gaza. Despite claims of ceasefire agreements and promises of aid delivery, critical supplies continue to be blocked, leaving the people of Gaza to endure unnecessary suffering.

This tragedy highlights the urgent need for the international community to act and ensure that aid reaches those who need it most.