Women, children, and newborns in Gaza are bearing the devastating impact of the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territory, with a disproportionate number of casualties and limited access to vital health services. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) are warning of the urgent need for a humanitarian pause.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, as of 3 November, 67% of all casualties in the Gaza strip were women and children. This translates to an alarming statistic of 420 children being killed or injured every day, including infants. The ongoing bombardments have caused extensive damage to health facilities and infrastructure, resulting in limited access to maternal, newborn, and child health services. Approximately 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza, with more than 180 giving birth daily, are facing increased risks due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth.
The closure of 14 hospitals and 45 primary health care centers has left women with limited options for safe deliveries. Some are forced to give birth in shelters, homes, or even on the streets amidst the rubble. The risks of infections and medical complications are rising in overwhelmed healthcare facilities, worsened by the shelling of Al Hilo Hospital on 1 November, a critical facility for maternity care.
Tragically, the lack of adequate care and access to healthcare services will likely lead to an increase in maternal deaths in the future. The psychological toll of the hostilities is also impacting reproductive health, with a rise in stress-induced miscarriages, stillbirths, and premature births. Before the escalation, malnutrition was already a concern among pregnant women, threatening childhood survival and development. Now, with limited access to food, water, and healthcare, mothers struggle to provide for their families, increasing the risks of malnutrition, disease, and death.
Newborns are also at risk, as hospitals are facing fuel shortages that hinder the functioning of essential neonatal and intensive care services. Approximately 130 premature babies relying on these services are in immediate danger. More than half of the population in Gaza is currently seeking shelter in UNRWA facilities, which lack adequate water and food supplies, leading to hunger, malnutrition, dehydration, and the spread of waterborne diseases. Displaced pregnant women and newborns in these facilities require urgent medical attention, with more than 22,500 cases of acute respiratory infections and 12,000 cases of diarrhea already reported.
Despite the challenging circumstances, UN agencies have dispatched life-saving medicines and equipment for newborns and reproductive health care. However, much more assistance is needed to address the immense needs of civilians, especially pregnant women, children, and newborns. Humanitarian agencies require sustained and safe access to deliver essential aid, including medicines, food, water, and fuel. Unfortunately, no fuel has entered the Gaza Strip since 7 October, putting the functioning of hospitals, water plants, and bakeries at risk.
An immediate humanitarian pause is crucial to alleviate the suffering and prevent the situation from deteriorating further. All parties involved in the conflict must abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and essential infrastructure, including healthcare facilities. Furthermore, the special protection entitled to children under international humanitarian and human rights laws must be honored.
A balanced view that considers different perspectives is essential. All hostages currently held in Gaza, including civilians, have the right to access healthcare and must be released promptly and unconditionally. It is imperative to prioritize the protection of children from harm and ensure their well-being during these challenging times.
While the situation remains dire, efforts must continue to provide support and assistance to the most vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, children, and newborns. Humanitarian agencies need the necessary resources and access to effectively address the urgent needs in Gaza, bringing hope for a brighter future in this war-torn region.
