The Big Picture
At least five infants have died from the cold in Gaza within the past week, according to health officials. The deaths highlight the worsening humanitarian crisis for families displaced by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Harsh winter weather has exacerbated already dire living conditions, with thousands relying on makeshift tents for shelter.
Key Details
Tragic Losses: Jumaa al-Batran, a baby under three weeks old, died in intensive care from hypothermia after living in a tent with his family in Deir al-Balah. His twin brother, Ali, remains critically ill on a ventilator.
Humanitarian Impact: Gaza's health ministry reports over 45,300 deaths since the war began in October 2023, including 17,492 children. Displacement has affected 90% of the population at least once, according to UN estimates.
Living Conditions: Tens of thousands are enduring winter in deteriorating tents along the coast, with limited electricity, fuel, or warm clothing. Many children are still wearing summer clothes and rely on burning debris for warmth.
Voices from the Ground
Dr. Wisam Shaltout, head of the neonatal unit at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, expressed concern about returning Ali to the same conditions that claimed his twin. "Conditions inside tents in this cold weather make it next to impossible for babies like Ali to survive," he said.
Nora al-Batran, the twins' mother, shared her grief: "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."
Humanitarian Response
Aid agencies have called for urgent relief as winter continues to batter the region:
UNICEF: Spokesperson Rosalia Bollen described children in Gaza as "cold, sick, and traumatized," with many searching rubble for materials to burn.
Local Authorities: The Palestinian Civil Defense issued guidance to stay warm, but residents lack the resources to implement these recommendations effectively.
The Bottom Line
With temperatures dropping and conditions deteriorating, displaced families in Gaza are facing a deadly winter. The international community has been urged to intensify support, as makeshift shelters and limited supplies fail to meet basic survival needs.
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