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The Day · Wednesday 17 December 2025

Filed 00:48 · Palestine time (UTC+2) · Gaza

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UN Warns Newborns in Gaza Face Risk of Freezing Amid Israeli Aid Restrictions

The United Nations has issued a warning that newborns in Gaza are at risk of freezing during a winter storm, attributing the danger to Israeli aid restrictions. The alert comes as humanitarian concerns mount amid inadequate access to basic necessities in the besieged territory.

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 sounded the alarm over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, warning that newborns face the severe risk of freezing during an ongoing winter storm. The warning highlights critical concern over the welfare of infants in the besieged enclave, citing Israeli aid restrictions as the primary obstacle hindering the delivery of essential assistance.

The international body emphasized that the harsh winter conditions currently sweeping across Gaza are putting newborns in immediate danger, particularly in shelters and medical facilities struggling under limited resources. From its side, the UN pointed to the consequences of sustained Israeli restrictions on aid entry, which it said are undermining the ability to provide adequate heating, clothing, and medical supplies for vulnerable populations, especially infants.

Meanwhile, residents continue to face worsening conditions as the storm intensifies. According to the UN’s warning, the lack of sufficient humanitarian access is leaving many without proper insulation or heating to confront the bitter cold. Humanitarian actors on the ground have reported increasing difficulties in reaching those in need, attributing the challenges to the same Israeli-imposed limitations on aid flow.

In addition, the UN’s notice reflects growing concerns among international relief agencies about the cumulative impact of the blockade and ongoing operational constraints. The situation is particularly dire for newborns, whose survival often depends on continuous medical care, stable heat sources, and nutritional support—all of which have been disrupted by the aid restrictions described in the warning.

The call from the UN adds to the broader alarm being raised over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where restrictive measures on critical supplies continue to exacerbate suffering. Emergency responders, according to the UN, now struggle to transport life-saving materials into the area, posing further danger to the youngest and most vulnerable.

The message sent by the international body draws urgent attention to what it describes as life-threatening conditions for Gaza’s newborns, set against the backdrop of severe weather and impeded humanitarian efforts. From its side, the UN is calling for immediate and unrestricted access for aid deliveries to mitigate the threat posed by exposure to freezing temperatures.

As the winter storm persists, countless families remain trapped without the basic means to protect their most vulnerable members. The UN’s warning serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing plight in Gaza and the dire need for effective solutions to lift the restrictions that are endangering innocent lives, particularly those of newborns who now lie at the mercy of both the storm and the blockade.

17 Dec, 00:48

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