Babies and Children Dying Amid Harsh Winter in Gaza
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has issued a stark warning over the rising deaths of babies and young children in Gaza due to freezing temperatures, flooding, and a lack of adequate shelter. MSF called on Israel to urgently lift its aid blockade, which has prevented critical humanitarian support from reaching the population.
The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 13 people, including two-week-old and one-month-old infants, have died this winter. One such case involved 29-day-old premature baby Said Asad Abedin from Khan Younis, who succumbed to severe hypothermia.
Dire Conditions in Makeshift Shelters
Ahmed al-Farra, head of the maternity and pediatric department at Nasser Medical Complex, described the situation:
“Hypothermia is very dangerous for babies. If nothing is done to provide tents, mobile homes, or heating, we will see more and more deaths.”
Bilal Abu Saada, a nursing supervisor at the same hospital, added:
“Children are losing their lives because they lack the most basic items for survival. Babies are arriving to the hospital cold, with near-death vital signs.”
MSF reports high rates of respiratory infections, which are expected to worsen as winter continues, threatening children under five in particular.
Severe Weather Exacerbates the Crisis
Gaza has endured heavy rains, high winds, and freezing temperatures, which have destroyed or flooded over 53,000 makeshift tents housing displaced Palestinians. Families have been forced to seek shelter in partially collapsed buildings, many at risk of further collapse. Last week alone, 13 buildings caved in due to the storms.
Late on December 13, mother Eman Abu al-Khair found her infant, Mohammed, “cold as ice” with frozen extremities. Unable to reach the hospital by foot due to flooding, the family transported the baby in an animal-drawn cart. Mohammed was admitted to intensive care but died two days later.
Ongoing Israeli Restrictions on Humanitarian Aid
Despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 10, Israel continues to block critical humanitarian aid, including tents, blankets, and mobile homes. The UN estimates that 55,000 families have seen their shelters destroyed or severely damaged in the storms.
Dozens of child-friendly spaces have also been affected, leaving 30,000 children without safe areas to play or learn.
Natasha Hall, senior advocate at Refugees International, highlighted the slow pace of aid delivery:
“Aid is entering Gaza in a trickle, partly due to Israel’s opaque list of ‘controlled dual-use items,’ which has included diapers, bandages, tools, tents, and other essential goods.”
Escalating Violence Compounds Humanitarian Needs
Palestinian news agency Wafa reported Israeli strikes and artillery shelling across Gaza, including an attack on a shelter for displaced Palestinians that killed at least six people. Additional clashes were reported in the West Bank, with homes raided and civilians injured.
MSF stressed that the combination of harsh winter, destroyed shelters, and blocked aid has created a life-threatening environment for Gaza’s children, calling for immediate international intervention.
Conclusion
The situation in Gaza represents a humanitarian emergency of the highest order, with children and infants facing deadly cold, lack of shelter, and insufficient medical care. MSF, UN agencies, and other international organizations continue to pressure Israel to allow unhindered humanitarian access, warning that delays will result in more preventable deaths.
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