Due to the cold weather 7 babies have died of hypothermia in Gaza in just two weeks. Forced displacement, lack of food, and safe, warm homes, the denial of humanitarian aid and a decimated health system have left children in Gaza at extreme risk.
Children in Gaza have entered the new year in one of the deadliest places the be a child, caught up in a relentless war. This time last year we thought things in Gaza couldn’t possibly get any worse – but they have.
As we enter 2025, we are seeing history not only repeat itself but reach new depths, with children who have been bombed, starved and continuously forced from their homes.
These children are now facing freezing temperatures. In just two weeks of cold weather in Gaza at least 7 newborn babies have died from hypothermia due to the cold.
WHAT IS HYPOTHERMIA?
Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature below 35°C.
A normal body temperature is around 37°C. It's a medical emergency that needs to be treated in hospital.
WHY ARE CHILDREN MORE AT RISK?
Children are less able to regulate their body temperatures than adults, so heat loss occurs at a faster rate, and prolonged exposure to cold temperatures weakens children’s immune systems.
With children in Gaza already at a great risk of malnutrition and illnesses like diarrhea and pneumonia, the cold temperatures can bring a deadly combination.
FACTORS INCREASING THE RISK OF HYPOTHERMIA
FORCED DISPLACEMENT
Families have been displaced over and over again by repeated relocation orders from Israeli forces, forced into smaller and smaller areas, often to places incapable of sustaining human life.
With rains falling in the Strip, children in Gaza are yet again facing the threat of cold and wet weather while living in tents, far away from the warmth of their homes.
DENIAL OF HUMANITARIAN AID
The UN reports that children are dying due to lack of protection from the cold winter temperatures while Israeli forces block aid including tents, clothing and bedding from entering the Gaza Strip.
Hardly any new shelter, food and medical aid is being allowed in, with just 76 aid trucks a day allowed to enter Gaza during December – less than 13% of the 600 trucks a day required to meet basic needs.
ATTACKS ON HEALTH FACILITIES
84% of health facilities have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli forces.
With a lack of electricity and water to operate remaining facilities, the population has minimal access to health care, medicine, or life-saving treatments.
WHAT WE ARE DOING TO HELP
Save the Children and its partners have reached over 1 million people in Gaza across 50 locations, with vital supplies including drinking water, food, hygiene products, mattresses, blankets, learning materials, toys, and games.
In the past few months, we have provided thousands of winter kits including mattresses, blankets, tarpaulins and other shelter items to help families protect themselves from the harsh winter elements.
