UN raises concern over infants deaths from cold weather in Gaza as 8th baby dies in less than three weeks
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has voiced deep concern over the death of a one-month-old baby from hypothermia in Gaza Strip, as Israel weaponizes cold against children in the blockaded Palestinian territory.
In a statement on Monday, OCHA warned that seven other infants had previously died from harsh cold in the territory in the past three weeks, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
“This is the eighth such child death due to the cold in less than three weeks. These deaths were preventable had the items required to protect these children been accessible to their families” OCHA said.
The UN body noted that it “continues to receive daily reports of civilians being killed and injured across Gaza due to ongoing hostilities, which are also causing widespread destruction and displacement.”
OCHA reiterated that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including humanitarian workers, convoys, and resources, must be safeguarded under international humanitarian law.
The occupying regime continues to heavily limit the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged territory, blocking items like tents, blankets, mattresses, and other supplies for displaced Palestinians.
According to UN agencies, around 1.6 million people in Gaza are living in inadequate makeshift shelters unable to protect them from winter's cold, with nearly 500,000 in flood-risk areas.
Gaza authorities also warn that 110,000 of the 135,000 tents currently in use are worn-out and unsuitable.
As Gaza faces severe shortages of basic necessities, dropping temperatures could lead to a rise in hypothermia death cases across the besieged region.
The current harsh winter has intensified struggles of Palestinian parents, who fear their children may fall victim to the freezing conditions.
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