Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported today that 35-day-old Yousef Kalloub tragically froze to death due to a lack of winter clothing and inadequate living conditions, exacerbated by Israel’s ongoing military actions. Yousef’s death marks the eighth loss of a newborn in the enclave due to the extreme cold.
In a statement, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) highlighted the dire situation, noting that cold weather and lack of shelter are contributing to the deaths of newborns, with approximately 7,700 infants lacking essential life-saving care.
The displaced Palestinian population has been forced to live in makeshift tents made of cloth and nylon due to the scarcity of basic supplies like food, water, and clothing. The harsh winter conditions have caused many tents to flood and be blown away, further exposing families to the elements and increasing the risk to vulnerable infants.