Infant Dies in Gaza Due to Severe Cold as Health Ministry Warns of Rising Death Toll
Gaza – Pal Plus News
The Gaza Ministry of Health announced on Thursday the death of an infant due to a sharp drop in temperatures, as a severe cold wave continues to hit the Gaza Strip amid extremely harsh humanitarian conditions and a lack of heating supplies.
In a press statement, the ministry said that Saeed Asaad Abdeen, a one-month-old infant, died as a result of severe hypothermia caused by extreme cold. The infant was transferred to the hospital in critical condition in an attempt to save his life.
The ministry added that the number of deaths admitted to hospitals due to the cold wave and severe weather conditions has risen to 13 cases so far, highlighting the growing humanitarian crisis, particularly among infants and the elderly.
Medical Warnings of an Impending Humanitarian Disaster
Dr. Ahmed Al-Farra, Director of the Pediatric and Maternity Building at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, warned of an imminent humanitarian disaster threatening the lives of newborns, especially those living in dilapidated tents along the Gaza coastline, which are exposed to strong winds and freezing temperatures.
In a video shared on social media, Dr. Al-Farra stated that newborns are extremely vulnerable to hypothermia, stressing that such conditions pose a direct and serious threat to their lives and can lead to death within a short period without urgent intervention.
Failed Attempts to Save the Infant
Dr. Al-Farra explained that the infant Saeed Abdeen was rushed to the hospital, but medical teams were unable to resuscitate him due to the advanced stage of hypothermia upon arrival, resulting from prolonged exposure to severe cold.
He noted that hospitals are operating under severely limited resources, including a critical shortage of medical equipment and heating supplies, making it increasingly difficult to handle such emergency cases.
Urgent Appeal for Heating and Shelter Supplies
Dr. Al-Farra renewed his warning that the death toll is likely to rise in the coming days if the cold wave persists
