Gaza Children Succumb to Cold amid Israeli Blockade, UNRWA Chief Warns

The Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, sounded the alarm on the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, saying that children in Gaza are freezing to death due to the cold weather and a severe lack of shelter.

“Gaza babies are freezing to death due to cold weather and a lack of shelter,” Lazzarini wrote in a post on X late Friday.

He criticized the blockade imposed by Israel, saying, “Blankets, mattresses, and other winter supplies have been stuck in the region for months waiting for approval to get into Gaza.”

Lazzarini also renewed his appeal for a ceasefire and called for the immediate delivery of basic supplies, including items critical for winter survival.

The crisis in Gaza has worsened, with the enclave reduced to rubble since Israel launched its military operations since Oct. 7, 2023.

On Thursday, Gaza Health Ministry Director-General Munir Al-Barsh reported that three Palestinian children died in makeshift displacement camps over the past week due to freezing conditions.

Among them was two-week-old Sila Mahmoud Al-Faseeh, who succumbed to the cold on Wednesday in a camp in Khan Younis. She was the second infant to die in the same camp, following Aisha Adnan Al-Qassas, who died on Dec. 20.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the death toll in the enclave has surpassed 45,400 people since the Israeli genocidal war began.

International legal actions have also intensified against Israel. Last month, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, a genocide case against Israel is being pursued at the International Court of Justice.