In Gaza, freezing temperatures have tragically claimed the lives of seven children in a single week, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-administered territory. Among them was newborn Jumaa, whose parents, Yahya and Noura al-Batran, are mourning his loss in a makeshift tent in Deir el-Balah. Jumaa, born prematurely alongside his surviving twin brother Ali, succumbed to the cold despite their parents’ efforts to keep warm in dire conditions.
Noura, still recovering from childbirth, recounted how the lack of heating and suitable shelter led to her baby’s death. “We fled the bombing from Beit Lahia, only for them to die from the cold here,” she lamented. Ali remains in intensive care, battling the harsh environment.
Tents as Shelter Amidst Cold and Rain
The Batran family, along with thousands of others displaced by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, lives in a fragile shelter fashioned from worn-out blankets. Heavy rains and temperatures dropping to 8°C (46°F) have made survival an uphill battle. Basic necessities like blankets, food, and medicine remain scarce, leaving families vulnerable.
Yahya al-Batran, clutching his older children tightly, described their struggle to stay warm. Meals are meagre, often consisting of tea, dry bread, and a sprinkle of zaatar. “Everything leads to death,” he said, encapsulating the despair shared by many.
Healthcare on the Brink of Collapse
The United Nations has warned of an impending collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system. Hospitals are overwhelmed, with doctors like Ahmad Al-Farra at Nasser Hospital witnessing the consequences of the cold. Three-week-old Seela and 20-day-old Aisha al-Qassas are among the infants who have died from severe hypothermia.
Calls for Urgent Assistance
The Hamas government press office has raised alarms about worsening weather conditions, emphasising the risk to two million displaced people, most of whom live in makeshift tents. Medical professionals predict rising casualties among children and the elderly as the cold persists.
As Gaza braces for harsher weather, the plight of its displaced population underscores the urgent need for humanitarian aid to prevent further loss of life.
