Gaza: As freezing temperatures grip the besieged Gaza Strip, three newborns have died due to hypothermia, while three others remain in critical condition, struggling to survive. Dr. Saeed Salah, medical director of the Patients’ Friends Benevolent Society Hospital, confirmed that in the past two weeks, at least eight newborns have been admitted with severe cold injuries. With Israel continuing to block the entry of mobile homes and tents, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening, leaving thousands of displaced families without proper shelter.

Despite international pressure and agreements that were supposed to allow 60,000 mobile homes and 200,000 tents into Gaza, authorities confirm that none of the mobile homes have entered, and only a limited number of tents have been permitted. The lack of proper housing has exacerbated the suffering of infants, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups, who are exposed to harsh winter conditions without adequate protection. Dr. Salah issued an urgent plea for caravans, fuel, and emergency supplies to prevent further deaths, as forecasts predict worsening weather in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the overall death toll in Gaza has surpassed 48,000 since October 2023, with more bodies being recovered from the rubble each day. Aid agencies and medical professionals warn that without immediate intervention, the crisis will claim even more lives. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) had previously reported that at least eight newborns died of hypothermia in January alone. As the humanitarian situation deteriorates, calls for Israel to lift restrictions on essential aid continue to grow, but the blockade remains firmly in place.