Gaza City, Palestine— The recent tragic death of newborn Sela Mahmoud Al-Fasih in the tent encampment of Al-Mawasi has shed light on the dire challenges faced by Palestinian children displaced by the ongoing conflict with Israel. Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, the director general of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, confirmed the devastating loss due to extreme cold on local social media on Wednesday.
In the past 48 hours, at least three infants, including a three-day-old and a one-month-old besides Al-Fasih, succumbed to the harsh weather conditions and lack of proper shelter, reported Dr. Ahmed Al-Farra from Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Al-Mawasi, once a designated “humanitarian area” by Israel, has faced repeated attacks, forcing thousands of displaced Palestinians to seek refuge in makeshift tents made of cloth and nylon.
Heartbreaking scenes captured in CNN footage show Al-Fasih’s tiny body wrapped in white shrouds, with her father Mahmoud beside her and a group of young men and boys mourning at her grave. Her mother Nariman shared the heart-wrenching reality of not having enough clothing to keep her baby warm, resulting in her tragic passing. The devastating impact of Israel’s assault on Gaza has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, injuries to many, and a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions.
Human rights advocates have called attention to the disproportionate impact on Palestinian children, with over 17,600 children having lost their lives since the conflict began. The UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees reported that one child in Gaza dies every hour, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Children like Al-Fasih are suffering from lack of adequate care due to the overwhelmed medical system in Gaza.
With over 17,000 children separated from their families, facing shortages of basic necessities like food and water, the young population in Gaza is enduring unimaginable suffering. The dire situation has left many children in nothing more than the clothes on their backs after fleeing the violence in summer clothing earlier in the year. The international community, through organizations like UNICEF, continues to stress the urgent need for action to protect the rights and well-being of the children caught in the crossfire of the conflict.
Efforts to reach out to the Israel Defense Forces for comments on the tragic deaths in Al-Mawasi have been made as the world grapples with the continuing crisis in Gaza. The war on children in the region serves as a stark reminder of the collective responsibility to address the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe and safeguard the future of a generation facing unspeakable hardships.