Born Too Soon: Premature Babies Fight for Survival in Gaza

Gaza’s healthcare system is buckling under the weight of a surge in premature births and endangered mothers’ health. One in five newborns requires intensive neonatal or thermal care, a crisis exacerbated by the ongoing siege, malnutrition, and declining prenatal care services.

The human cost is evident in hospital wards, where exhausted mothers hold incubators, their eyes fixed on tiny, struggling bodies. Noor Salem’s story is all too common: her baby, Yazan Al-Khalidi, was born eight months into her pregnancy, a testament to the devastating toll of Israel’s war machine. “I felt terrified… I did not know what would happen to him,” she says.

The siege has crippled Gaza’s healthcare system by denying access to basic necessities like food, water, and medical supplies. Pregnant women like Noor have endured repeated displacement, bombings, and prolonged psychological stress – a toxic cocktail that increases the risk of premature birth. UNICEF has sounded the alarm on this crisis, citing maternal malnutrition, stress, and limited access to prenatal care as contributing factors.

Dr. Afnan Abu Hasaballah, an obstetrician and gynecologist with UNRWA, has witnessed firsthand the impact of this war on pregnant women and newborns: “Constant fear, repeated displacement, lack of food and clean water… all increased the risk of premature birth.” As Gaza’s health services strain under the weight of this crisis, mothers are left to navigate a treacherous landscape.

Essential baby care items – sterilisation kits, formula, diapers – are either absent or unaffordable, leaving families to struggle on their own. The Qutoof Al-Khair Foundation reports a growing demand for its services, which provide support to pregnant women and newborns. Many families have lost everything in the war, leaving mothers without basic necessities like baby clothes, blankets, formula, or clean water.

The consequences of this war haunt the streets of Gaza, where mothers struggle to care for their babies amidst the ruins of their homes. Akram Abu Jiab, head of the foundation, notes: “Many families have lost everything… leaving mothers with no choice but to rely on others for support.”

In this war-torn enclave, the most vulnerable are being left to suffer. The international community must recognize that the siege on Gaza is not just a humanitarian crisis – it’s also a public health emergency. As long as Israel maintains its stranglehold on Gaza, the lives of mothers and babies will continue to hang in the balance.

Despite the chaos, Gazan healthcare workers continue to toil under impossible conditions to save their patients’ lives. Dr. Abu Hasaballah’s words are a testament to this bravery: “We continued working day and night without sleep… doing everything we could to save every child.” But as the world watches Gaza burn, it’s time to confront the uncomfortable truth: that Israel’s war on Gaza is not just a humanitarian crisis – but also a self-inflicted wound.

The siege has created a perfect storm of malnutrition, stress, and lack of access to healthcare, leaving premature babies and mothers to fight for their lives. The international community must act now to address this crisis before it’s too late.