Frigid Conditions Claim Lives of Infants in Gaza Amidst Humanitarian Crisis

Medical professionals in Gaza have reported that six infants have succumbed to cold-related ailments in the last two weeks, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation facing displaced families. With temperatures plummeting and lack of adequate heating, the healthcare infrastructure struggles to cope as calls for urgent assistance grow louder.

At least six infants have lost their lives in the past two weeks in Gaza, attributed to frigid weather and insufficient shelter, according to Palestinian health officials. The situation has escalated at the Patient's Friends Benevolent Society (PFBS) hospital in Gaza City, where doctors reported that nine newborns suffering from cold injuries were admitted, resulting in five deaths. One of these was a two-month-old girl who died overnight near Khan Younis after her family noted her mother found her "stiff as wood from the cold."

Amidst these tragedies, the PFBS hospital has urgently requested caravans and fuel to support the nearly 945,000 displaced individuals living in makeshift tents. The armed group Hamas has accused Israel of not meeting agreed supply quotas for necessary shelter materials during an ongoing ceasefire that began five weeks ago, a claim Israel disputes.

Globally, around 2.1 million people in Gaza are affected, with nearly 70% of buildings estimated to be damaged or destroyed due to a prolonged conflict with Hamas. Critical healthcare services have largely collapsed, leaving only 18 of 35 hospitals operational and facing severe shortages of essential medical supplies.

Recent meteorological data indicates that nighttime temperatures have frequently dipped below 10°C (50°F) over the past fortnight, reaching lows of 3°C (37°F). Dr. Saeed Salah, the PFBS hospital's medical director, previously warned of the dangers of hypothermia for vulnerable infants, noting that they had treated newborns weighing as little as 1.7 kg (3.7 lb).

In addition, a two-month-old girl named Sham Yousef al-Shambari was reported dead from hypothermia by the head of the pediatric department at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Her father recounted that she had been healthy prior to being found lifeless in their tent.

According to Dr. Muneer al-Boursh, director-general of the Hamas-run health ministry, a total of 15 children have died due to cold conditions since winter began. He also accused Israel of failing to honor humanitarian protocols by restricting medical supplies and heating provisions.

In response, Israel's military body Cogat stated it is abiding by its commitments to supply aid, including the entry of thousands of tents and supplies into Gaza. As the current ceasefire draws to an uncertain close, tensions remain high with ongoing negotiations about the release of prisoners and continued hostilities remaining a backdrop to humanitarian concerns in the region.