December 30th 2024.
Warning: The following story contains details that some readers may find distressing.
It's a heartbreaking scene in the Gaza Strip as the harsh realities of war are felt by the innocent. As winter approaches, displaced Palestinians, who have been living in tents for nearly 15 months due to the ongoing conflict, are now facing the bitter cold and heavy rains. Tragically, a fourth infant has died from hypothermia. Jomaa al-Batran, just 20 days old, was discovered with a head as "cold as ice" by his father Yehia on Sunday morning. His twin brother, Ali, is currently in intensive care at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. The twins were born one month premature and only spent a day in the hospital's nursery before being sent home. However, with the hospital overwhelmed and only partially functioning, there was little that could be done to help these fragile babies. Yehia shared that the medics had advised them to keep the newborns warm, but with limited resources and living in a tent, it was an impossible task. Temperatures often drop below 10 degrees at night, and with only four blankets for their family of eight, it was a constant struggle. Yehia tearfully cradled his son's pale body, describing how the cold had taken a toll on his tiny frame. The lack of proper shelter also meant that the family was constantly exposed to the elements, with dew seeping through the tent overnight. As Yehia mourned, the children gathered around to witness the loss of their young cousin.
The shrouded infant was then brought to an imam for prayers, and in a heartwarming act, the imam took off his own coat and wrapped it around Yehia to provide some warmth. "Feel warm, my brother," he said, offering a small comfort in the midst of such tragedy. Sadly, Jomaa is not the only baby to succumb to the harsh conditions in recent weeks. Three other infants have also lost their lives due to the cold, according to local health officials.
In a separate and equally disturbing news, a report by Israel's Health Ministry revealed the horrific treatment of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas militants. The report detailed physical, psychological, and sexual abuse inflicted on over 100 hostages, including children, who were released during a ceasefire last year. The captives, who were mostly civilians, had been subjected to beatings, isolation, deprivation of food and water, branding, hair-pulling, and sexual assault. One hostage even shared the traumatic experience of being sexually assaulted at gunpoint by a Hamas militant, while others were forced to undress in front of their captors. Aviva Siegel, a former hostage, bravely spoke out about the abuse and stated that it was a reality that could not be denied. The findings of the report will be sent to the United Nations, and it is hoped that it will put pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire and the release of all hostages. Families of the hostages and their supporters have been holding mass demonstrations for months, and there have been reports of progress in the ongoing talks.
Meanwhile, in the West Bank, violence continues to escalate as a Palestinian woman was shot and killed in her own home. Shatha al-Sabbagh, a 22-year-old journalism student, was with her mother and two children when she was fatally shot by a sniper from the Palestinian security forces. Her family denies any involvement with militants and claims that there were no militants in the area at the time. The Palestinian security forces have condemned the shooting and vowed to investigate, but the incident has raised further concerns about their use of force against their own people. In response, hundreds of people took to the streets in support of the security forces, organized by the Fatah party, which holds power in the Palestinian Authority. The violence in the West Bank has been on the rise since the war in Gaza began, adding to the already tense situation in the region. The Palestinian Authority, which has limited control over the area, is often seen as complicit in the ongoing conflict due to its cooperation with Israel on security matters.
As the situation in Gaza worsens, more deadly strikes by Israel have been reported. In a recent attack on Wafa Hospital, seven people were killed, and several others were wounded. Israel's military claims that the hospital was no longer functioning as a hospital and was being used by Hamas as a control center. In another strike near Nuseirat, eight people lost their lives, and over 15 were injured. The ongoing violence has also led to rockets being launched from northern Gaza, with three people being injured while trying to seek shelter. The situation is dire, and the ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 45,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. The majority of these casualties are women and children, but it is difficult to distinguish between militants and civilians in the count. Israel, on the other hand, claims to have killed over 17,000 militants without providing any evidence. The bombardment and ground operations have left over 90% of Gaza's population, which amounts to 2.3 million people, displaced and living in ruins. The destruction of critical infrastructure and the breakdown of law and order have made it challenging to deliver aid to those in need, leading to fears of famine. Hunger and disease have become major concerns, highlighting the urgent need for a ceasefire and a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
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