Reports indicate deteriorating conditions in the Gaza Strip, where displaced Palestinians are struggling to survive. Ongoing Israeli military attacks have forced many Palestinians into tent camps that offer minimal shelter and resources.
With winter’s onset, cold poses an additional threat. Doctors confirmed to Reuters that at least six infants and one adult have died from hypothermia.
The risk is particularly high for young children in the damp, cold tents. Among the recent victims is 20-day-old Jomaa al-Batran, who died from hypothermia yesterday in Central Gaza.
His twin brother Ali remains in critical condition in intensive care. Their father told AP the twins, born prematurely, stayed briefly in a hospital facing shortages and overwhelmed with patients.
“The conditions in the tents make survival nearly impossible,” the head of the neonatal unit told The New York Times. If Ali survives, he may suffer lasting damage to his brain or organs.
Nighttime temperatures drop to 10 degrees Celsius, and heavy rains have flooded parts of the camps. A mother told Reuters that water soaked her children’s clothes and mattresses.
Many tents, now worn out, were damaged by wind and rain. A reporter from Al Jazeera in Deir-al-Balah noted the lack of heating and warm clothing.
Data from UN OCHA shows roughly 90% of Palestinians are now displaced, many without essential items. UNICEF confirmed to The New York Times that children are cold, sick, and traumatized, often searching for burnable materials.
Limited aid exacerbates the shortage of warm clothing. Israel claims to allow aid, but international organizations report severe restrictions.
Since early October, Israel has blockaded northern Gaza. Oxfam reported only twelve trucks of food and water reached the area in the past 2.5 months.
Hunger remains a major issue, with acute malnutrition rates increasing tenfold since before the conflict, according to UNRWA on X. UNICEF found last month that 96% of children and pregnant or breastfeeding women in Gaza are not receiving adequate food.
Source: NOS