The Gaza Strip continues to grapple with a devastating humanitarian crisis as war persists, and winter temperatures plunge. In recent weeks, at least four infants have tragically succumbed to hypothermia. Thousands of Palestinians, displaced by over 15 months of relentless conflict, now find themselves struggling to survive in makeshift tents along the harsh, rainy coastline.
One of the heartbreaking stories is that of 20-day-old Jomaa al-Batran, whose life was cut short due to the freezing conditions. His father, Yehia, recounted the moment they discovered their son’s lifeless body, his head “cold as ice” when they awoke Sunday morning. Jomaa’s twin brother, Ali, remains in intensive care at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where overwhelmed medical teams struggle to manage a deluge of patients amid dwindling resources and partial functionality.
The al-Batran family, like so many others, faces unimaginable challenges. Living in a fragile tent with eight people sharing just four blankets, Yehia described how temperatures regularly dip below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) at night. He explained that the twins were born prematurely and had received minimal postnatal care before being discharged into their dire living conditions. Despite medical advice to keep the infants warm, Yehia said it was impossible under the circumstances.
Children gathered outside as Yehia mourned his son, wrapped in a makeshift shroud. During the funeral prayers, an imam removed his coat and draped it over the grieving father, offering a small gesture of warmth amidst the cold and despair.
Medical professionals in Gaza report a surge in hypothermia cases among the youngest and most vulnerable. Dr. Fidda Al-Nadi, working at Nasser Hospital, shared that they admit one or two such cases daily. Premature births have risen amid the stress and trauma of the ongoing conflict, leaving many infants more susceptible to the deadly cold. Families across Gaza are burying their children, as was the case with Mahmoud al-Faseeh, who lost his three-week-old daughter, Sila, to hypothermia. Her tiny body was found cold and blue; her heart stopped by the unforgiving chill.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened following Israel’s military offensive launched after the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, which claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 people. Israel’s bombardment and ground operations have devastated the Gaza Strip, displacing 90% of its 2.3 million residents. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the conflict has claimed over 45,000 lives, more than half of whom were women and children. The staggering loss underscores the scale of destruction and the immense toll on civilian populations.
Relief efforts face significant obstacles as aid organizations struggle to deliver critical supplies. There are acute shortages of blankets, warm clothing, and firewood. With most of Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins, providing necessities has become a monumental challenge. Amid these dire conditions, the impact of war has seeped into every facet of life, stripping families of safety, shelter, and even the ability to mourn their losses with dignity.
The violence shows no sign of abating. On Sunday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a hospital’s upper floor in Gaza City, killing at least seven people and injuring several others. The Israeli military stated that the strike was aimed at a Hamas control center located within the building, asserting that it no longer served as a functioning hospital. Elsewhere, in Nuseirat, another strike claimed the lives of eight individuals and wounded over 15, according to local hospital officials. Meanwhile, militants in Gaza launched five projectiles into Israel, with two intercepted by defense systems.
As winter deepens and the conflict grinds on, Gaza’s displaced population faces a fight for survival against both the elements and the ongoing violence. The images of fathers cradling frozen infants and families shivering in tents starkly highlight the urgent need for a resolution. Yet, for now, the world watches as Gaza’s children endure a harsh reality shaped by war and winter’s relentless grip.