A Palestinian man puts the shrouded body of newborn Jumaa al-Batran, who died due to hypothermia, next to the shrouded corpse of another child on December 29 (Photo by AFP)
Ramallah, January 1 (RHC)-- Palestinian media have revealed a devastating figure, reporting that more than 800 infants under one year old have been killed since the start of Israel's genocide in Gaza, with six babies killed from severe cold in the past week alone.
A report from Palestinian media on Monday revealed the harrowing figure of more than 800 children being killed in the Gaza war before reaching their first birthday. The Health Ministry in Gaza has reported that the total number of Palestinian deaths since the war began on October 7,2023 has surpassed 45,541, with over 17,000 of the identified victims being children, highlighting the devastating toll of the ongoing violence.
Last week, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), in a statement on X, highlighted the urgency of the crisis, stating, "One child gets killed every hour. These are not numbers. These are lives cut short. Killing children cannot be justified."
The dire situation is further compounded by the fact that nearly all 2.3 million Palestinians have been displaced, with half of them being children who have been forced to flee their homes multiple times.
Since the Israeli regime imposed a stifling blockade on Gaza, the displaced residents have endured severe shortages of electricity, drinkable water, food, medical services, and especially fuel for basic survival needs.
In the past week, local health authorities in Gaza reported the tragic deaths of six infants due to severe winter weather.
UNICEF's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Edouard Beigbeder, in a recent statement noted that numerous newborns and infants have fallen victim to hypothermia as conditions in the region worsen significantly. "These preventable deaths lay bare the desperate and deteriorating conditions facing families and children across Gaza. With temperatures expected to drop further, it is tragically foreseeable that more children's lives will be lost to the inhumane conditions they are enduring," he warned.
He added that in 2024, families in Gaza endured unprecedented challenges, facing not only the persistent danger of attacks but also a severe lack of shelter, food, and medical care. The harsh winter conditions have led to serious cold-related injuries, including frostbite and hypothermia, particularly threatening young children living in tents and inadequate makeshift homes.
“For newborns, infants, and medically vulnerable children, the danger is even more acute,” Beigbeder said.
As the year draws to a close, the plight of children in Gaza remains dire, amid ongoing threats to their safety and well-being. Humanitarian organizations continue to call for urgent international attention and assistance, stressing that children should not be caught in the crossfire of the Israeli genocidal war.
