8th baby freezes to death in Gaza

The dead body of one-month-old Juma al-Batran, who had been sheltering in a tent in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, is being brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the city for funeral arrangements after losing his life due to the extreme cold, on December 29, 2024. [Ashraf Amra – Anadolu Agency]

Gaza’s Ministry of Health today announced that 35-day-old Yousef Kalloub froze to death because of the lack of sufficient winter clothes and suitable living conditions in the enclave as a result of Israel’s genocidal war.

Yousef became the eight baby to freeze to death in Gaza.

In a statement yesterday, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned that “cold weather and lack of shelter are causing the death of newborns in Gaza, while 7,700 newborns lack life-saving care.

The displaced Palestinians have been living in tents made of cloth and nylon, due to the scarcity of essentials such as water and food, in addition to a severe shortage of clothing, blankets and heating during the winter.

Many tents flooded and were blown away from the winter winds last week, leaving many exposed to the elements and putting the lives of infants further at risk.

Read: Rights groups condemn Israel’s targeting of Gaza aid distribution centre

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