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In a devastating consequence of a severe cold snap in Gaza, six Palestinian infants have died from hypothermia, medical officials report. The tragic deaths occurred as Israel continues to block essential supplies and shelter from entering the beleaguered enclave.
Dr. Saeed Salah, medical director at the Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital in Gaza City, confirmed that three newborns, aged just one to two days, died shortly after arrival at the hospital. Two additional children succumbed on Tuesday morning, with a sixth reported dead in Khan Younis. The Gaza civil defense agency has also confirmed these fatalities.
Salah noted that the hospital has seen an alarming influx of severe hypothermia cases, with eight newborns requiring intensive care, none of whom had pre-existing health issues. “They were simply born, and their families had no way to keep them warm,” stated Al Jazeera's Hani Mahmoud.
Hamas has condemned the deaths, attributing them to Israel's "criminal" policies and urging the international community to intervene for humanitarian aid. Despite a ceasefire agreement that allows for temporary housing, thousands of mobile homes remain stranded at the Rafah crossing, awaiting Israeli approval for entry.
The situation in Gaza is exacerbated by reports from the United Nations, indicating that at least eight newborns died from hypothermia in December, part of a broader crisis where 74 children have perished amid harsh winter conditions.
In related news, the World Health Organization has raised concerns over escalating attacks on healthcare facilities in the occupied West Bank, with 694 documented incidents between April and December 2024. Israeli military operations have intensified, particularly in Tulkarem and Jenin, leading to widespread displacement and destruction of homes.
With information from Al Jazeera.
