At least five babies have died from the cold in Gaza in the past week, according to health authorities, as winter exacerbates the suffering of a population enduring 15 months of conflict.
Jumaa al-Batran, who was less than three weeks old, died in intensive care at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital on Sunday after being admitted alongside his twin brother, Ali. The twins and their parents had been living in a tent at a displaced persons camp in Deir al Balah. Their mother, Nora al-Batran, described finding her son unresponsive and cold, stating, “I tried to shake him awake, but there was nothing. The child was stiff, blue, dark blue in color from the cold.”
Ali remains in critical condition on a ventilator due to hypothermia, as reported by Dr. Wisam Shaltout, head of the neonatal unit at the hospital. He noted that the harsh conditions in tent shelters make survival unlikely for infants like Ali and Jumaa. Despite earlier reports suggesting Ali had died, Dr. Shaltout clarified that, even if he recovers, he may suffer long-term health issues.
Humanitarian conditions in Gaza have sharply declined, with United Nations agencies stating that Israeli military actions have displaced 90 percent of the population at least once since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023. The health ministry reports over 45,300 Palestinian deaths, including at least 17,492 children, since the onset of hostilities.
The youngest residents of Gaza are now facing severe cold. Tens of thousands of displaced individuals reside in inadequate encampments along the coast, relying on tents and tarps that have deteriorated from exposure to the elements. Reports indicate a lack of electricity, insufficient fuel for generators, and shortages of blankets and warm clothing.
Rosalia Bollen, a UNICEF spokesperson who recently visited the camps, highlighted the plight of children in Gaza, stating, “Many still wear summer clothes. With cooking gas gone, many are searching through rubble for scraps of plastic to burn.”
As temperatures are expected to drop further, the Palestinian Civil Defense emergency service has advised residents, particularly those in tents, to take precautions, such as drinking warm fluids and wearing multiple layers. Parents are urged to monitor their children’s body temperatures closely.
However, with predictions of heavy rain and temperatures dropping to the mid-40s Fahrenheit, these measures may prove insufficient. Ms. al-Batran expressed her desperation for assistance, saying, “I wrapped him in many layers, but it was in vain. There is no sheltered place. There’s no heating. Not enough clothes, not enough blankets.”