As freezing weather takes hold of Gaza, six new-born infants have died from hypothermia, underlining the deepening humanitarian crisis in the territory. With thousands of families having been forced from their homes by conflict, many are living through harsh winter conditions in improvised shelters with no access to heating, medical treatment, or basic supplies. Civil defence authorities are reporting a surge in cases of cold-related sickness, especially among infants and the elderly.
The crisis has been compounded by the devastation of Gaza’s infrastructure, depriving people of proper shelter, electricity, and heating fuel. Hospitals are overwhelmed, trying to offer life-saving services under severe medicine and equipment shortages. Aid groups have called for a swift response, citing the potential loss of additional lives if emergency assistance is not immediately delivered.
Local authorities report the situation as disastrous, with families burning rubbish to keep warm. “The cold is intolerable, and we have no blankets, no food, and nowhere to go,” said one displaced mother taking shelter in the rubble of her destroyed home. Numerous newborns and young children are at high risk of pneumonia and other respiratory diseases from exposure to the cold over a long period.
Global humanitarian organizations have urged an emergency response, demanding more aid deliveries, fuel imports, and medical assistance. The crisis highlights the urgent need for a sustainable solution to shield Gaza’s most vulnerable from the life-threatening impacts of severe weather and displacement.
