At least five newborns froze to death between December 24 and 29 in the Gaza Strip, with the situation continuing to worsen as the region faces extreme cold, according to a report from the UNRWA on Sunday.
UNICEF has raised alarms over the deaths, stating that with temperatures continuing to drop, more babies are at risk. The agency warned that the conditions in Gaza offer no protection from the cold, and the lack of basic supplies like blankets and mattresses is exacerbating the crisis.
Supplies intended to help families through the winter have been stuck in the region for months, awaiting approval from Israeli authorities, preventing timely delivery to those in need.
The ongoing siege Israel is imposing on the strip is blocking the entry for humanitarian organizations trying to provide relief. According to UNICEF, approximately 7,700 newborns across Gaza are unable to access lifesaving care.
Hospitals, already overwhelmed by the effects of constant bombardments, have had to reduce neonatal care bed capacity, forcing families to seek care in overcrowded and under-equipped facilities.
The humanitarian situation is critical in Gaza, where airstrikes, ground attacks, and sieges have destroyed infrastructure, including medical facilities. The World Health Organization (WHO) condemned a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital on December 27, which has further crippled the healthcare system in northern Gaza.
Attacks on health facilities have been rampant, with at least 50 incidents verified since early October.
The lack of essential medicines, equipment, and medical supplies has made it increasingly difficult for medical staff to provide adequate care for those injured or ill, and the shortage of neonatal services has contributed to the rising infant mortality rate.
In addition to the cold, the situation in Gaza is worsened by a broader humanitarian crisis. Many families have seen their food and water supplies depleted, and the fishing industry, a key part of Gaza’s economy, has been decimated by the ongoing war, causing widespread food insecurity.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reports that Gaza’s daily fish catch has dropped to just 7.3% of what it was last year, contributing to a significant food shortage.
Despite international appeals for immediate action, Israel continues to block access for humanitarian convoys, with hundreds of aid shipments being denied or delayed, further exacerbating the suffering of Gaza’s civilians.