In the Gaza Strip, six infants have succumbed to hypothermia over the past two weeks, Palestinian medical professionals reported on Tuesday. The affected area, where hundreds of thousands have sought refuge in tent camps and war-ravaged structures, is currently under a fragile ceasefire. The region is enduring an especially harsh winter, characterized by cold, wet conditions with temperatures plummeting below 10 degrees Celsius (50 F) and severe storms from the Mediterranean Sea.
Yusuf al-Shinbari was devastated to discover that his 2-month-old daughter, Sham, had perished from the cold in their makeshift tent. After checking on her just after midnight on Tuesday, he found her lifeless and without a heartbeat. He recounted his joy from just the previous day, describing her as a beautiful child.
Dr. Ahmed al-Farah, who heads the pediatric department at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, confirmed that Sham had no illness but died from severe cold exposure. The hospital is also caring for two other infants exhibiting signs of frostbite. Meanwhile, Saeed Salah from the Patient’s Friends Hospital in Gaza City noted that five infants, aged one month or younger, have died similarly over the last fortnight. Furthermore, another child is reported to be on a ventilator.
According to Zaher al-Wahedi, in charge of the records at the Gaza Health Ministry, the toll from hypothermia this season has reached 15, all victims being children. The cessation of a 16-month conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants has facilitated increased food-based humanitarian assistance. However, acute shortages of blankets, warm clothing, and firewood persist among the local population.
There has been no centralized electricity in Gaza since the early days of the war, and generator fuel is scarce, forcing families to endure frigid conditions on wet sand or exposed concrete. The situation has drawn international concern. Earlier this month, Rosalia Bollen, a UN children’s agency spokesperson, highlighted the severe cold and questioned how anyone could endure these conditions overnight in temporary shelters.
The recent Israeli military campaign, which responded to Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in extensive devastation across Gaza, reducing large swathes to debris. The ceasefire permits people to return to northern Gaza, where they live amidst ruins. This initial phase of the ceasefire is due to end on Saturday, with uncertainty about its extension. A resumption of hostilities is likely to disrupt the current humanitarian supply significantly.
Even if the truce holds, rebuilding Gaza remains an overwhelming challenge. The World Bank estimates reconstruction costs to exceed $50 billion, and years may pass before reconstruction can begin. Israel attributes the destruction to Hamas, which allegedly placed military installations in civilian zones. Conversely, Hamas accuses Israel of breaching the ceasefire, delaying essential supplies like tents and mobile homes. Israel denied such accusations while condemning Hamas for public demonstrations involving hostages during their release, causing a temporary suspension of releasing Palestinian detainees.
The October 7 attack by Hamas-led fighters led to approximately 1,200 casualties, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 hostages, with over 60 still unaccounted for and presumed dead. The ensuing Israeli offensive claimed over 48,000 Palestinian lives, predominantly women and children, reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry. However, the exact number of fighters among the deceased remains unspecified. Israel maintains that it eliminated over 17,000 combatants, though evidence has not been provided.
