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The Day · Wednesday 17 December 2025

Filed 01:18 · Palestine time (UTC+2) · Gaza

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UN Warns Gaza Newborns at Risk of Freezing Amid Israeli Aid Restrictions

The UN has issued a warning that newborns in Gaza face life-threatening risks of freezing during a winter storm. The warning comes amid ongoing Israeli aid restrictions. Humanitarian concerns are intensifying as temperatures drop. The situation raises alarm over the survival of vulnerable infants trapped by deteriorating conditions and limited supplies.

GAZA CITY, GAZA – DECEMBER 15: Newborns and premature babies receiving treatment under limited conditions at Al Helou International Hospital in western Gaza on December 15, 2025. As the medicine crisis and shortage of medical equipment persist in the besieged Gaza Strip, the lives of newborn babies are at risk due to insufficient infant formula supplies. Newborns and premature babies are fighting for survival amid closed border crossings and severe shortages of heating systems, incubators, and pediatric intensive care equipment. ( Khalil Ramzi Alkahlut – Anadolu Agency )

The United Nations has issued a warning concerning the safety and survival of newborns in Gaza, stating that they are at risk of freezing during an ongoing winter storm due to Israeli aid restrictions. The alert highlights the growing humanitarian concerns in the region as harsh weather strikes amid critical shortages of basic necessities.

The winter storm is impacting vulnerable residents across Gaza, heightening humanitarian and health-related challenges. The suffering from cold weather conditions is compounded by limited access to essential fuel, heating, and medical supplies, with the situation for newborns being one of the most critical points of concern.

According to the UN, the restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities on aid deliveries are directly contributing to the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, where the population continues to endure the consequences of an ongoing blockade. The resulting shortfall in humanitarian assistance impedes the delivery of critical supplies intended to protect vulnerable groups, especially infants, from winter conditions.

Meanwhile, medical and support facilities in Gaza are reportedly struggling to cope, with shortages in heating equipment and other essential relief items exacerbating the crisis. The absence of consistent and adequate aid has created a widespread risk of exposure to freezing temperatures, particularly for newborns lacking the necessary shelter and care under current conditions.

In addition, humanitarian actors on the ground are warning of swelling health and logistical challenges. The combination of storm-induced cold and restricted access to blankets, heating resources, and medical care is placing severe pressure on already overwhelmed sectors. The call by the UN serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of ongoing Israeli aid restrictions in the face of natural hardships.

From its side, the UN emphasized the urgency of unfettered aid flow into Gaza to mitigate the immediate dangers posed by the storm. The agency reiterated its position that protecting civilians, most acutely newborns, remains a humanitarian priority. Ensuring timely aid delivery, according to the UN, is essential for saving lives during this period of extreme weather.

The warning follows continued appeals for the lifting of restrictions that critics argue are contributing to a deepening crisis. As temperatures continue to fall, fears mount over how long vulnerable groups, including infants, can survive without immediate intervention. The situation poses serious threats to life and underscores the need for sustained humanitarian access.

The UN’s statement underlines worsening conditions in Gaza as it faces natural and man-made pressures simultaneously. The impact of both the winter storm and Israeli aid restrictions converge to create an environment where the most innocent, including newborns, face alarming risks to their survival.

17 Dec, 01:18

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