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2023–2024 Gaza Strip preterm births

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2023–2024 Gaza Strip preterm births
Part of the Israel–Hamas war and the Gaza humanitarian crisis

Premature babies at Al-Shifa
Date21 October 2023 – present
(1 year, 1 month and 1 day)
Location
Gaza Strip
Status Ongoing
Casualties and losses
31+ dead[a]

The Gaza Strip faced a premature baby crisis during the Israel–Hamas war. The situation escalated when the Israeli Defense Forces raided Al-Shifa Hospital, Al-Nasr Children's Hospital, and Kamal Adwan Hospital. Reports of premature babies in intensive care, added to concerns about the rising number of preterm births in Gaza.[5] The newborns gained global attention.[6]

Background

Starting on 21 October 2023, Medical Aid for Palestinians and UNICEF issued an "urgent warning" that 130 premature babies would die if fuel did not reach Gaza hospitals soon.[7][8][9] On 23 October, officials in Gaza confirmed that due to the Israeli siege on fuel, when hospitals lost electricity, premature babies in NICUs were at risk of death.[10][11] A press release from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in April 2024 stated that pregnant women in Gaza had been experiencing premature labor and miscarriage at rates three times higher than before the conflict intensified. The rise was attributed to displacement, trauma, and malnutrition.[12]

In November 2024, Adele Khodr, UNICEF's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, emphasized the severe challenges faced by newborns in the Gaza Strip, stating that the war had disrupted fetal development, childbirth, and postnatal care, resulting in an increased need for intensive care among infants. Khodr also referenced reports from doctors highlighting a rising number of premature births, undernourished infants, and newborns with developmental complications.[13]

Al-Shifa Hospital

See also: Al-Shifa Hospital siege

On 11 November, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari stated the army would help evacuate babies from al-Shifa Hospital, but a Gaza Health Ministry spokesman stated Israel had not provided "any mechanism to get the babies out to a safer hospital."[14][15] The same day, Physicians for Human Rights–Israel stated two premature babies had died due to the loss of electricity.[16]

On 15 November, Israel launched a raid on al-Shifa Hospital, where three dozen premature babies were still sheltering.[17] The director of Al-Shifa stated Israel's claim that it would provide incubators to premature babies was false.[18] Reuters reported the IDF said that three battery powered incubators were on standby outside Gaza.[19][20] The IDF released a video showing them depositing at the front gate of al-Shifa 300 litres of fuel and a photo of a soldier loading mobile incubators.[21] One mother reported believing that her premature son was going to die.[22] On 19 November, 31 premature babies at al-Shifa were evacuated by the Palestinian Red Crescent, WHO, and UNOCHA to southern Gaza.[23] They were planned to be moved to Egypt with their families the following day.[24] Two additional babies died soon after.[25] The babies were reported to be suffering from severe hypoglycemia — insufficient blood sugar.[26] On 20 November, 28 of the babies were evacuated to Egypt.[27] Only eight were accompanied by their parents, as the others were orphans, or their parents were unable to leave Gaza.[28] As of 20 November 2023, eight babies were reported as having died at al-Shifa during that month.[1]

Al-Nasr Children's Hospital

On 10 November, Doctors Without Borders reported that evacuating medical workers at Al-Nasr Children's Hospital had to leave babies in incubators after the IDF bombed the pediatric hospital.[29][30] On 29 November, video footage from Al-Nasr showed the aftermath of the hospital's evacuation, with the five premature babies dead still in their incubators.[31] The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor confirmed the Al-Nasr infants' deaths.[32] They stated the IDF had indicated to hospital staff they would evacuate the babies, though the IDF denied any involvement.[33][34] In a recording of a phone call between COGAT and a medical official, the IDF official confirmed ambulances would retrieve patients from al-Nasr, but hospital officials stated the ambulances never arrived.[3] The Red Cross stated that it had received "several requests" for evacuations from hospitals in northern Gaza, but due to security concerns, it was "not involved in any operations or evacuations, nor did teams commit to doing so." The organization also described the footage of deceased children as an "unspeakable tragedy."[35]

Other hospitals

In mid-December, Israel began a military siege and raid on the Kamal Adwan hospital. On 14 December, the Gaza Health Ministry reported IDF soldiers had prevented medical staff from continuing support to 12 babies in intensive care.[36] Three premature babies had died at Kamal Adwan in November following a power outage.[2] In March 2024, Dr. Husam Abu Safiya, the acting head of Kamal Adwan, reported that his staff were treating 300 to 400 children a day, with 75% suffering from malnutrition. Between January and March 2024, 16 premature babies had died of malnutrition-related causes at the Al Helal Al Emirati Maternity Hospital in Rafah.[37]

Rise in preterm births

A pediatric doctor at the Emirati Hospital in Rafah, stated the number of premature babies born in Gaza had risen sharply.[38] On 23 November, Oxfam stated the number of premature births had risen by nearly one-third due to factors like stress and trauma.[39] In February 2024, the UN Population Fund reported that the anxiety mothers were experiencing due to incessant bombings and fleeing for safety had led to a rise in premature births.[40] In July 2024, Doctors Without Borders reported a rise in pre-term deliveries in southern Gaza.[41]

Destruction of embryos

A single strike on Gaza City's Al Basma IVF center, Gaza's largest IVF centre, destroyed most of the frozen IVF Embryos in the Gaza Strip.[42][43] It destroyed 4000 human embryos and an additional 1000 samples of frozen sperms and eggs.[44][45] The embryos were stored in liquid nitrogen, which did not require electricity to maintain; they only needed to be topped up once per month.[42] But the blast blew the lid off 5 tanks, causing the liquid to quickly evaporate, which caused the embryos to defrost and die.[44] They are 9 or more clinics in the Gaza Strip that perform IVF related procedures, but most of the embryos were stored in 5 liquid nitrogen tanks at the at the Al Basma center.[42] The clinic was established in 1997 by obstetrician and gynecologist Bahaeldeen Ghalayini.[46] Bahaeldeen Ghalayini said a single Israeli shell struck the part of the centre where there embryos were stored on the ground floor, but he said he did not know if the lab had been specifically targeted by the strike.[46]

See also

Notes

  1. ^

References

  1. ^ a b al-Mughrabi, Nidal. "Premature Gaza babies evacuated to Egypt as Israeli tanks encircle second hospital". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-12-13. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Press Summaries on the War on Gaza, November 22–25". Institute for Palestine Studies. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b Berger, Miriam; Hill, Evan; Balousha, Hazem. "A Gaza hospital evacuated, four fragile lives and a grim discovery". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  4. ^ Jahjouh, Mohammed; Jeffrey, Jack; Keath, Lee (8 March 2024). "It's not just Israeli bombs that have killed children in Gaza. Now some are dying of hunger too". Associated Press. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Premature babies evacuated from Al-Shifa Hospital, health officials say". CBC. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  6. ^ Shamseldin, Mai. "Mother of one of 28 Gaza babies moved to Egypt recounts her ordeal". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-12-01. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
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  9. ^ El-Bursch, Adnan; Seddon, Sean (23 October 2023). "Dead and wounded strain Gaza hospitals as air strikes intensify". BBC. Archived from the original on 31 August 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  10. ^ "3 premature babies die at Al-Shifa Hospital: Doctor". ABC News. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  11. ^ Magdy, Samy; Shurafa, Wafaa; Kullab, Samya. "Dwindling fuel supplies for Gaza's hospital generators put premature babies in incubators at risk". ABC News. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  12. ^ "How Israel's war has created a neonatal nightmare in Gaza". The New Arab. 4 June 2024. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  13. ^ "Statement by UNICEF Middle East and North Africa Regional Director Adele Khodr on the decimation of newborn care in the Gaza Strip" (Press release). UNICEF. 5 November 2024. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  14. ^ Trew, Bel; Gregory, Andy (13 November 2023). "Tin foil used to keep babies alive with incubators losing power at Gaza hospital – as tanks surround outside". The Independent. Archived from the original on 28 September 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
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  17. ^ Boxerman, Aaron (14 November 2023). "Babies are among the thousands inside Al-Shifa as Israeli troops close in". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  18. ^ Zhou, Li (15 November 2024). "The dire medical crisis in Gaza, explained". Vox. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  19. ^ Al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Williams, Dan; Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (2023-11-14). "Lives of 36 babies in Gaza hospital at risk despite Israeli incubator offer". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  20. ^ Deng, Dov Lieber and Chao (2023-11-16). "Israel Says It Found Evidence of Hamas Activity at Gaza Hospital". WSJ. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  21. ^ "As outrage grows over fate of babies in Gaza hospital, Israel offers incubators and fuel". NBC News. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  22. ^ Shawkat, Ahmed (21 December 2023). "Gaza mother "lost hope" that her son, born in a war zone, had survived. Now they're finally together". CBS News. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  23. ^ "Palestinian Red Crescent, UN agencies evacuate Al Shifa premature babies". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-11-20. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  24. ^ Jobain, Najib; Magdy, Samy (19 November 2023). "31 'very sick' babies have been evacuated from Gaza's largest hospital, where trauma patients remain". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  25. ^ Yee, Vivian (19 November 2023). "Premature Babies Are Evacuated From Embattled Hospital in Gaza". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
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  27. ^ Mpoke Bigg, Matthew (20 November 2023). "28 Premature Babies Evacuated From Gazan Hospital Arrive in Egypt". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  28. ^ "Two Premature Babies Died Before Evacuation From Gaza: UN". Barron's. Agence France Presse. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  29. ^ Parker, Claire. "North Gaza hospitals have turned into 'a graveyard,' Doctors Without Borders says". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  30. ^ Kilbride, Erin; Van Esveld, Bill (December 2023). "Birth and Death Intertwined in Gaza Strip". Human Rights Watch. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  31. ^ * "Alarming footage shows Israel left premature babies to die alone in Gaza hospital it forcefully evacuated". The New Arab. 29 November 2023. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  32. ^ "We call for an international investigation into the responsibility of the Israeli army for leaving 5 infants to die in Gaza". Euro-Med Monitor (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  33. ^ MacDonald, Alex. "Israel-Palestine war: Five dead premature babies discovered in Gaza hospital". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  34. ^ "Israel Blasts 'Perverse Exploitation of Innocent Lives' After Story About Babies Found Dead in Gaza Hospital Circulates". The Algemeiner. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  35. ^ Goodwin, Allegra (8 December 2023). "Infants found dead and decomposing in evacuated hospital ICU in Gaza. Here's what we know". CNN. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  36. ^ "Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel Flash Update #69". UNOCHA. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  37. ^ Jahjouh, Mohamed; Jeffery, Jack; Keath, Lee (8 March 2024). "It's not just Israeli bombs that have killed children in Gaza. Now some are dying of hunger too". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 8 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
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  39. ^ Farge, Emma. "More premature babies born in Gaza due to stress, trauma -Oxfam". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-12-04. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
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  41. ^ "Maternal and child health suffer under a decimated system". Doctors Without Borders. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  42. ^ a b c "'5,000 Lives in One Shell' - Israeli Strike Destroyed IVF Embryos in Gaza's Largest Fertility Clinic". Haaretz. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  43. ^ "Gaza's IVF embryos destroyed by Israeli strike". The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  44. ^ a b Salem, Saleh; Creidi, Imad; Mills, Andrew. "Gaza's IVF embryos destroyed by Israeli strike". Reuters. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  45. ^ "Gaza's IVF embryos destroyed: 5,000 lives likely lost in Israeli strike on clinic". www.telegraphindia.com. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  46. ^ a b "'5,000 Lives in One Shell' - Israeli Strike Destroyed IVF Embryos in Gaza's Largest Fertility Clinic". Haaretz. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024. Ghalayini said a single Israeli shell struck the corner of the center, blowing up the ground floor embryology lab. He does not know if the attack specifically targeted the lab or not.
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