Doctors Without Borders reports spike in respiratory infections in Gaza amid harsh winter

By Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - Doctors Without Borders on Friday said that it is recording a sharp increase in respiratory infections in Gaza as harsh winter compounds already dire living conditions, posing a serious threat to young children.

In a statement posted on the US social media company X, the medical charity said a 29-day-old infant died Thursday at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, just two hours after arriving at the MSF-supported pediatric ward early in the morning. Despite efforts, the staff were unable to save the child’s life.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said the infant died as a result of a severe drop in body temperature.

His death brought to 13 the number of people who have died after being admitted to hospitals due to the recent cold wave and extreme weather conditions across Gaza.

MSF said the combination of extreme winter conditions and deteriorating living standards is significantly increasing health risks across the enclave.

Its teams continue to register high rates of respiratory infections in the enclave, warning that cases are expected to rise further throughout the winter, particularly endangering children under five.

The charity said the situation is worsening as Gaza faces heavy rainfall and severe storms, while hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain displaced and are living in broken makeshift tents that are frequently flooded.

The group called on Israeli authorities to immediately allow a substantial increase in the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

On Wednesday, Gaza’s Civil Defense warned that an intense cold wave threatens the lives of children, as many families lack adequate shelter and heating amid the worsening humanitarian conditions due to Israel’s genocide in the enclave.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are living in extremely difficult conditions after their homes were destroyed and they were forcibly displaced. Many families are sheltering in tents or makeshift structures, facing acute shortages of blankets, heating supplies and winter clothing as temperatures drop.

Gaza’s government media office has repeatedly accused Israel of failing to meet its obligations under the Oct. 10 ceasefire and its humanitarian protocol, including the entry of shelter materials and the delivery of 300,000 tents and mobile homes for displaced families.

Israel has killed nearly 70,700 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 171,100 others in attacks in Gaza since October 2023, before the assault came to a halt under the ceasefire deal that took effect on Oct. 10.