December 27th 2024.
Tragically, a newborn baby has lost their life due to the harsh conditions in a tent encampment in Al-Mawasi, located in southern Gaza. According to a health official, this heartbreaking incident sheds light on the immense struggles faced by Palestinian children who have been displaced from their homes as a result of Israel's ongoing assault on the area.
The story contains distressing details and reader discretion is advised. The baby, Sela Mahmoud Al-Fasih, tragically passed away due to the extreme cold, as Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, the director general of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, shared on Wednesday. The past week has seen the deaths of at least four infants who succumbed to hypothermia due to the freezing temperatures and lack of access to warmth while living in tents, as reported by Dr. Ahmed Al-Farra, the head of pediatrics and obstetrics at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
Among the victims were a three-day-old and a one-month-old who also passed away in Al-Mawasi, according to Dr. Al-Farra. He further added that the neonatal ICU staff have been dealing with at least five cases of hypothermia on a daily basis. The situation has been compounded by reduced breastfeeding and limited availability of infant formula, which has put babies at a higher risk of hypothermia, as shared by Dr. Al-Farra with CNN.
Moreover, health workers have been struggling to provide adequate care to young patients due to shortages of electricity, diesel, and other essential fuel. Dr. Al-Farra described the situation as a disastrous consequence of the ongoing war, stating that it is heartbreaking to see innocent children suffer in such a manner.
Al-Mawasi, a coastal region west of Rafah, was previously designated as a "humanitarian area" by Israel, but it has been repeatedly targeted in Israeli attacks. This has forced thousands of Palestinians to seek refuge there, living in makeshift tents made of cloth and nylon for months. In a heart-wrenching CNN footage, Sela's small body can be seen wrapped in a white shroud, while her father, 31-year-old Mahmoud Al-Fasih, holds her. In another shot, a group of young Palestinian men and boys can be seen mourning by her grave.
Sela's mother, Nariman Al-Fasih, shared with CNN that her baby girl passed away due to the cold as she tried to keep her warm, but they did not have enough clothes to do so. The video showed the three-week-old baby's face had turned blue, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The ongoing assault by Israel, which began after the Hamas-led attack on October 7, has devastated Gaza's once-thriving neighborhoods and resulted in the loss of entire families. It has also created a humanitarian crisis of starvation, displacement, and disease. As per the health ministry's report on Monday, over 45,000 Palestinians have been killed and 107,000 injured.
Human rights advocates have raised concerns about the impact of the Israeli bombardment and siege on Palestinian children, who are bearing the brunt of the violence. According to Dr. Al-Bursh, more than 17,600 children have lost their lives since the war started. Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees, shared on Tuesday that one child in Gaza is killed every hour, citing UN data. In addition, the International Rescue Committee reported in October that as many as 17,000 children have been left unaccompanied or separated from their parents and caregivers.
As the siege has drained supplies, children are struggling to find enough food, water, and warmth. Doctors in Gaza have told CNN that the medical system has been paralyzed by the Israeli attacks, with just 20% of neonatal care units remaining operational. Premature babies are dying due to a lack of essential medical supplies, including ventilators, and doctors are being forced to prioritize cases to save children's lives.
UNICEF has warned that many displaced children in Gaza are only wearing the clothes on their backs, as they were forced to flee in summer clothes earlier this year during the Israeli bombardment. Rosalia Bollen, a UNICEF communications specialist, shared in a statement on December 20 that the children in Gaza have been enduring unimaginable suffering for over 14 months and that the situation is a harsh reminder of our collective responsibility.
"The war on children in Gaza stands as a stark reminder of our collective responsibility. A generation of children is enduring the brutal violation of their rights and the destruction of their futures," said Bollen. CNN has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces for comment on the deaths of the three infants in Al-Mawasi.
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