Infant dies of hypothermia in Gaza as winter restrictions tighten

A nine-month-old Palestinian boy has died in southern Gaza after suffering from severe cold exposure, according to his father and medical officials. The infant, identified as Kinan Ahmed Raqiq, passed away in Khan Younis while his family was sheltering in a tent. A doctor speaking to the AFP news agency on Thursday confirmed that the child died of hypothermia.

Ahmed Raqiq, the baby's father, described the distressing moment he discovered his son's condition. He stated that he woke up to find the infant's skin had turned blue. Rushing the child to Nasser Hospital, he learned that Kinan had already died from the cold. The father described being in complete shock as he held his son wrapped in a white burial shroud outside the hospital.

Mahmoud Basal, the spokesman for Gaza's Civil Defence, confirmed the death following exposure to extreme cold. The incident highlights the growing vulnerability of displaced families as temperatures drop across the territory. Basal's confirmation was reported by the Palestinian news network Al-Quds, marking a significant loss in the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The death occurs at a critical time as winter approaches the war-ravaged enclave. A coalition of more than 50 countries and organizations, led by the United Kingdom, Qatar, and Jordan, has called on Israel to allow immediate entry of critical supplies. These needs include materials for shelter, fuel, water, sanitation, and health services to protect the population from the elements.

The coalition warned that a large number of people in Gaza still lack adequate shelter. They noted that this deficiency puts residents at risk for hypothermia, respiratory infections, waterborne diseases, and other preventable illnesses. The statement aligns with recent criticism from the United States-led Board of Peace and United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher regarding the restrictions on aid.

In response to the Board of Peace, Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel had permitted the entry of supplies, including 91,000 tents. He attributed the suffering of the people of Gaza primarily to Hamas, suggesting that the group bears sole responsibility for the current conditions.

Beyond the cold, the territory has faced additional challenges this week due to heavy rains. Flooding has affected the tents of tens of thousands of people. The weather events proved deadly when a sandy embankment eroded and collapsed onto several tents, killing five people, including three children, the day after the initial flooding.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 26,000 households were affected by storms as of November 8. The agency also noted that approximately 65 percent of the population in Gaza remains displaced, living in tents or other temporary shelters. These figures underscore the scale of the displacement and the reliance on makeshift structures for survival.

James Elder, the UN Children's Fund spokesman for Gaza, warned that the current flooding is only the beginning of the cold season. He emphasized the need to understand the severity of the situation, noting that it is not yet full winter. Elder stated that the region is experiencing unprecedented rain and cold just weeks before the winter months officially arrive, raising fears for those without proper protection.