DaysofPal- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders has warned that children in Gaza are facing heightened dangers with the approach of winter, amid the worsening humanitarian conditions resulting from the ongoing Israeli war of extermination.
MSF stated in a press release on Thursday that more than 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced from their homes, while many of them live in fragile tents that do not provide the necessary protection from the severe cold, which threatens their lives.
On December 25, 2024, three infants under the age of one month died in Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis due to exposure to freezing.
The children were living in tents in Al-Mawasi area, south of Gaza, where residents suffer from poor health conditions due to overcrowding and a lack of basic services.
MSF stated that with the arrival of winter, the population’s suffering has increased, particularly among children, who have become more vulnerable to diseases due to low temperatures and harsh conditions.
The organization stated that most families cannot afford heating or blankets, which cost up to $200.
“Last winter, there were some buildings where people could take shelter. But now, after 14 months of war, most of the population are forced to live in tents that barely protect from the wind and rain,” said Pascal Coizard, the organization’s emergency coordinator.
At Nasser Hospital, which the organization supports, doctors in the neonatal intensive care unit are working to cope with a significant increase in the number of children suffering from respiratory infections, dehydration, and life-threatening preterm births. Since October 2023, the unit has received 325 cases.
“The exceptional circumstances have made children more vulnerable to hypothermia, making it more difficult to treat them,” explained Dr. Mohammed Abu Taim, a pediatrician at the hospital.
The organization noted that the only solution to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians is a permanent cessation of hostilities and ensuring safe access to humanitarian and medical aid.
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