As temperatures in Gaza drop, newborns are succumbing to the bitter cold, with at least six infants dying from hypothermia in just two weeks. The victims, including 20-day-old Sila, are among the most vulnerable of Gaza’s population, suffering from the harsh conditions of overcrowded refugee camps and damaged infrastructure amid ongoing conflict.
Sila’s father, Mahmoud, described the extreme cold: “All night, we huddle together, curling up next to each other,” he said. “Our life is hell. It’s hell because of the effects of the war, and our situation is unbearable.” Sila died at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis after developing severe hypothermia. Her mother, Nariman, recalled the difficulty of caring for her newborn in freezing temperatures, with water leaking into their tent and no proper shelter.
The region, facing deteriorating conditions due to Israeli military operations, has seen an increase in premature births, and many mothers are unable to breastfeed because of malnutrition. The scarcity of infant formula has exacerbated the crisis.
Gaza’s health authorities reported that babies, particularly premature ones, are at high risk for hypothermia, a condition exacerbated by the cold and lack of proper care. Dr. Ahmad al-Farra, a pediatrician at Nasser Hospital, confirmed the rise in hypothermia-related deaths, with another three-day-old baby and an infant under a month old dying from similar conditions.
“Touch him with your hand, he’s frozen,” said Yehia al-Batran, who lost his 20-day-old son, Jumaa, to the cold. His family struggles with limited resources, including only a few blankets for all eight members.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern over the worsening situation. Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF’s regional director, warned that with temperatures expected to drop further, more children are likely to perish due to the inhumane conditions.
In Khan Younis, Mahmoud buried his daughter in a makeshift grave, while his family suffers from illness and exhaustion. “If we don’t die from the war, we’re dying from the cold,” Nariman said.
A bbc story
