Babies in Gaza die from winter cold amid displacement crisis
The chief pediatric doctor at a southern Gaza hospital told AFP that three babies had died of “severe temperature drop” this week, as the war-ravaged Palestinian territory grapples with winter cold. (File Photo)
Three infants have tragically died this week in Gaza due to a “severe temperature drop” as the region struggles with freezing winter conditions and the ongoing Israeli blockade, according to Dr. Ahmed al-Farra, chief pediatrician at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis.
The latest victim, a three-week-old girl named Sila al-Faseeh, was brought to the emergency room after a critical drop in body temperature.
Her father, Mahmoud al-Faseeh, recounted that she had woken up several times during the night to breastfeed but was later found unresponsive.
The doctor confirmed her death was caused by exposure to the cold in the Al-Mawasi tent city, where displaced families reside.
Two other infants—a three-day-old and a one-month-old—died on Tuesday under similar circumstances. Dr. Farra explained that these children live in tents that fail to shield them from the cold, with temperatures dropping to as low as 8°C (46°F) at night.
He highlighted that malnutrition among displaced mothers also affects the quality of their breast milk, exacerbating risks to newborns.
Over 2.4 million Gaza residents have been displaced since the war broke out in October 2023. Makeshift shelters in areas like Khan Yunis lack basic heating and protection, leaving children particularly vulnerable.
Dr. Farra urged immediate intervention to address the dire living conditions and prevent further loss of life among the displaced population.
