Palestinian baby dies from cold in Gaza amid Israeli restrictions on aid
A nine-month-old Palestinian infant has died from hypothermia in his family's tent in southern Gaza as Israel maintains restrictions on winter supplies to the war-torn territory.
The baby's father confirmed that Kinan Ahmed Raqiq died overnight in Khan Younis after temperatures dropped dramatically. A doctor speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity confirmed the cause of death as hypothermia. The infant's death highlights the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza as winter conditions worsen.
Father's anguish
Ahmed Raqiq described finding his son with blue skin after the cold night. "I woke up only to see his skin had turned blue so I rushed him to Nasser Hospital, but he had already died from hypothermia and frozen to death," he said outside the hospital, visibly distressed.
I am in complete shock. I found myself holding my son wrapped in a burial shroud.
Winter crisis
Gaza's Civil Defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal confirmed the infant's death from extreme cold exposure. The tragedy occurs as Gaza faces severe weather conditions, with heavy rains causing flooding that has affected 26,000 households according to UN OCHA data.
Five people, including three children, died recently when a sandy embankment collapsed onto their tents following flooding. UNICEF's James Elder warned that current conditions are only a preview of what's to come, noting "it's not yet winter" and that "we're weeks away from winter, so we are getting unprecedented rain and cold."
International response
A coalition of over 50 countries and organizations led by the UK, Qatar and Jordan has called on Israel to immediately allow critical shelter supplies, fuel, water, sanitation and health items into Gaza. The group warned that "far too many people in Gaza are still without adequate shelter, and risk exposure to hypothermia, respiratory infections, waterborne diseases and other preventable illnesses."
In response to criticism, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel had allowed 91,000 tents into Gaza and claimed "Hamas alone is responsible for the suffering of the people of Gaza." Approximately 65% of Gaza's population remains displaced in tents or other temporary shelters, facing the full brunt of winter without adequate protection.
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