A 20-day-old baby, Jumaa al-Batran, tragically succumbed to hypothermia in Gaza, highlighting the extreme hardships faced by displaced families this winter. This marks the fifth infant death due to cold-related causes in just six days, underscoring the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict and harsh living conditions in the besieged enclave.
Babies Born Into Misery
Jumaa and his twin brother, Ali, were born prematurely and spent just a day in the hospital’s nursery before returning to their family’s makeshift shelter. With limited resources, the family struggles to survive. Temperatures in Gaza frequently drop below 10°C (50°F) at night, leaving the family, including eight members, with only four blankets to share.
Jumaa’s father, Yahya al-Batran, described the grim circumstances. “His head was as cold as ice,” he said, mourning the loss of his son. Drops of dew seep through the thin tent fabric, and the family has no access to electricity, heating, or sufficient food. Despite the mother’s efforts to keep the newborns warm, the freezing temperatures proved fatal.
Gaza’s Harsh Living Conditions
Thousands of displaced families in Gaza now live in tents along the rainy, windswept coast. Many children are barefoot, exposed to the elements, and malnourished. Health centers, already overwhelmed and functioning at minimal capacity due to relentless bombings, cannot handle the influx of critical cases.
Healthcare professionals report an alarming number of hypothermia cases among infants. Dr. Ahmed Alfarra from Al Tahreer Maternity Hospital said he sees five to six cases daily. “I’ve visited these tents. The conditions are unbearable,” he stated.
A Growing Crisis
Since the conflict escalated in October 2023, Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have faced severe shortages of electricity, clean water, food, and medical supplies. Repeated displacement has left many without stable shelter, forcing families to huddle in unsuitable tents.
The al-Batran family’s story is one of many. Three of the five infants who froze to death in recent days lived in the so-called “humanitarian zone” in al-Mawasi. These zones, meant to offer refuge, fail to provide even basic protection from the cold.
Urgent Need for Action
Humanitarian workers describe the situation in Gaza as catastrophic. Children are dying not only from airstrikes but also from preventable causes such as malnutrition and hypothermia. Efforts to deliver aid remain obstructed, leaving families without hope.
UN agencies and health professionals are calling for immediate intervention. With freezing temperatures continuing and no relief in sight, the lives of countless children hang in the balance. Jumaa’s death serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for action to prevent further tragedies.
For families like the al-Batrans, the winter’s icy grip is not just a season—it is a fight for survival.
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