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MSF Warns Babies Dying in Gaza as Winter, Blockade, and Israeli Attacks Take Toll
Doctors Without Borders reports babies in Gaza are freezing to death amid harsh winter, destroyed shelters, and continued Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-12-20
MSF Warns Babies Dying in Gaza as Winter, Blockade, and Israeli Attacks Take Toll

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has issued a grave warning about the growing deaths of infants and children in the Gaza Strip due to harsh winter conditions, compounded by the ongoing Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid.

MSF cited the death of 29-day-old premature baby Said Asad Abedin in Khan Younis from severe hypothermia, as well as the recent death of two-week-old Mohammed Khalil Abu al-Khair, who froze without access to proper shelter or clothing. The Gaza Ministry of Health reports that 13 children have died from extreme weather so far this week.

Ahmed al-Farra, head of the maternity and paediatric department at Nasser Medical Complex, stressed the danger, stating, “If nothing is offered for these families in the tents—for warming, mobile homes, or caravans—unfortunately, we will see more and more” deaths. MSF staff have also reported high rates of respiratory infections, particularly threatening children under five.

MSF called on Israeli authorities to urgently allow a massive scale-up of aid, warning that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians continue to live in flooded or broken makeshift tents while extreme weather worsens.

No Letup in Israeli Attacks

Despite the October 10 ceasefire, Israeli forces continue military operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported artillery shelling, home raids, and demolitions east of Gaza City and Khan Younis, while strikes on shelters have killed civilians, including displaced Palestinians.

Heavy rain, high winds, and freezing temperatures have destroyed more than 53,000 tents used as makeshift shelters, with streets flooding and buildings collapsing. Families are forced to shelter in partially damaged buildings, putting children at risk.

Eman Abu al-Khair, a displaced mother from al-Mawasi, recounted how her baby Mohammed froze inside a tent, dying despite rushed medical care. She said, “I can still hear his tiny cries in my ears… His tiny body simply couldn’t withstand the extreme cold inside the tents.”

The UN reports that Israel continues to restrict aid, blocking essential items such as tents, blankets, and supplies for an estimated 55,000 affected families. Natasha Hall, senior advocate at Refugees International, described aid delivery as a “trickle” due to Israel’s controlled list of dual-use items, which includes basic necessities like nappies, bandages, and tools.

MSF and humanitarian agencies stress that urgent action is required to prevent further child deaths and to provide adequate shelter, heating, and medical support for vulnerable families in Gaza.
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