DaysofPal- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a devastating low, with infants dying of hypothermia amid freezing winter conditions.
Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), has labeled this tragedy a “man-made catastrophe,” emphasizing that repeated warnings about the consequences of Gaza’s blockade have gone unheeded.
In a recent post on social media, Egeland expressed his frustration and sorrow, stating, “We warned of this many times: the Israeli strangulation of Gaza, where neither shelter nor food reach the innocent, had led to babies freezing to death. This catastrophe is man-made from A to Z.”
At least four Palestinian infants have reportedly succumbed to the cold over recent days as temperatures plummet in Gaza. The territory, already devastated by conflict and blockade, faces a harsh winter while hundreds of thousands are forced to live in flimsy tents and makeshift shelters.
The impact of the extreme weather has also claimed the life of Al-Hakim Ahmed al-Zaharneh, a Palestinian healthcare worker. His body was discovered in his tent in the al-Mawasi area, where he had succumbed to the bitter cold, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Al-Zaharneh worked at the European Gaza Hospital, making his loss particularly poignant as the healthcare system in Gaza struggles to cope with the crisis.
Gaza authorities have also issued urgent warnings about the deteriorating living conditions amid freezing temperatures. The Government Media Office reported that 110,000 out of 135,000 tents used by displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are now out of service and have “completely deteriorated.” In a statement on its Telegram channel, it emphasized that the Israeli military is “causing a tragic humanitarian crisis” that is once again threatening the lives of thousands of civilians as the freezing winter cold sets in.
“This catastrophic humanitarian situation is a direct result of the genocide committed by the ‘Israeli’ occupation army, which has completely destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes of these citizens, forcing them to resort to living in tents that lack the minimum requirements for a decent life,” the statement said.
Several Palestinian babies have frozen to death in the past few nights. About 2 million Palestinians in the enclave have been displaced, many numerous times, as a result of devastating Israeli military attacks that have killed more than 45,000 people so far.
The deaths underscore the dire living conditions in Gaza, where essential resources such as food, fuel, and medical supplies are severely restricted. As winter tightens its grip, the situation for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents grows increasingly desperate.
International organizations and humanitarian workers have repeatedly sounded the alarm over the devastating impact of the blockade. The NRC and other humanitarian groups are calling for immediate action to alleviate the suffering in Gaza. Access to shelter, heating, food, and medical care is critical to preventing further loss of life.
“This is not a natural disaster,” Egeland emphasized. “This is a result of deliberate decisions and policies. It is entirely preventable.”
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