Infant Dies in Gaza Due to Extreme Winter Conditions

A two-week-old Palestinian infant, Mohammed Khalil Abu al-Khair, has tragically died in the Gaza Strip due to severe hypothermia, as winter temperatures plummet and Israel continues to restrict humanitarian aid from entering the territory.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that the baby succumbed after seeking urgent medical treatment, highlighting the life-threatening conditions faced by displaced families in Gaza amid ongoing conflict and infrastructural devastation.

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Winter Cold Becomes Lethal for Displaced Families

Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum reported from Gaza City that families are living in tents on wet ground without heating, electricity, or adequate clothing, making the extreme winter cold deadly.

“When food, fuel, shelter, and aid are banned, cold absolutely becomes lethal,” Abu Azzoum said.

A recent storm exacerbated the situation, claiming at least 11 lives and damaging thousands of temporary shelters. Families are struggling to keep children warm, often drying clothes over open fires in insufficiently insulated tents.

“There are no spare clothes for them. I am exhausted. The tent we were given cannot withstand winter conditions. We need blankets,” said Umm Mohammed Assaliya, a displaced mother in Gaza City.

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Gaza’s Infrastructure Decimated

Israel’s two-year-long war has destroyed over 80 percent of structures in Gaza, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents reliant on makeshift shelters or tents. Torrential rains and strong winds have caused flooding and structural collapses, compounding the humanitarian crisis.

Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called on Israel to allow unimpeded delivery of aid, but restrictions continue to prevent essential supplies—including tents, blankets, and winter clothing—from reaching those most in need.

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UN and Humanitarian Organizations Sound Alarm

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that children and other vulnerable populations are dying from exposure to cold and collapsing structures.

“People have reportedly died due to the collapse of damaged buildings where families were sheltering. Children have reportedly died from exposure to the cold. This must stop. Aid must be allowed in at scale, now,” UNRWA said on social media.

UNRWA emphasizes that it is the best-equipped agency to distribute supplies within Gaza but continues to face obstacles imposed by Israeli authorities.

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Hamas Condemns Israeli Ceasefire Violations

Meanwhile, Hamas has accused Israel of repeatedly violating a ceasefire agreement brokered by the US in October. Since the truce came into effect on October 11, Israeli attacks have killed at least 393 Palestinians and wounded over 1,074, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad stated:

“Since day one, Hamas has fully abided by the agreement and honoured its commitments. In contrast, Israel has deliberately committed several systematic and preplanned breaches.”

A senior Hamas leader, Raed Saad, was killed in a targeted Israeli strike, further straining the fragile ceasefire.

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Dire Humanitarian Situation Persists

The ongoing blockade of essential aid, coupled with extreme winter weather and infrastructural collapse, has created a life-threatening situation for millions of Gazans, particularly children, infants, and displaced families.

Humanitarian experts warn that without immediate action to deliver tents, blankets, and other emergency supplies, additional deaths from exposure and preventable conditions are likely as winter continues.