Gaza Strip Ceasefire Talks Stall, Repeating 'Newborn Death' Tragedy... "Cold and Starvation Are the Causes"

As the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas is delayed, newborn deaths due to cold and malnutrition are occurring one after another in the Gaza Strip.

A father holding his 4-week-old newborn Juma, who passed away on the 29th of last month. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

According to The Washington Post (WP) on the 6th (local time), at least seven infants have died in the Gaza Strip from mid-last month to recently.

On the 20th of last month, a three-week-old newborn named Aisha Alqasas died in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. Aisha's mother was reportedly unable to eat properly and had difficulty breastfeeding. Medical staff said Aisha died from malnutrition and cold.

Also, on the 29th of last month, four-week-old twins Juma and Ali Albatran were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza Strip. Medical staff stated that Juma died from septic shock related to hypothermia. Ali was admitted to the intensive care unit with a ventilator.

Recently, nighttime temperatures in the Gaza Strip have dropped to a low of minus 1 degree Celsius. Last week, heavy rain caused flooding that affected more than 1,500 tents. According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, an international relief organization, as of last fall, the relief supplies provided to shelters in the Gaza Strip amounted to only 23% of the required amount.

A UNICEF official responsible for the Middle East and North Africa region said in a statement, "A tragic situation is expected where more children lose their lives in inhumane conditions, defenseless against the cold." John Kaller, an international relief worker and pediatrician, also warned, "Infants are more vulnerable to the cold, and prolonged exposure to cold environments can lead to metabolic disorders, organ damage, and death due to hypothermia."

The ongoing infant deaths in the Gaza Strip have occurred as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been delayed. Last month, it was reported that the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas had progressed up to 90%, but an agreement has yet to be reached.

However, some positive observations have been raised, including local reports that the Israeli delegation is optimistic that the negotiations could be concluded within a few days.