Despite Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, over 180 women give birth daily, expecting more than 66,000 babies this year
-Infants in intensive care face grave danger as Israel targets hospitals
Since Oct. 7, Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip have resulted in the death of five children per hour, while an average of seven babies are born between bombings.
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While its attacks on the Gaza Strip have been intensifying despite international criticism, Israel persists in targeting hospitals.
Anadolu compiles updates on children killed, newborns, and hospital-treated in Israel’s Gaza attacks.
Israel’s relentless attacks on hospitals like Al-Shifa, Indonesia, Al-Nasr Children’s, Rantisi Children’s, Al-Avde Children’s, and Jerusalem, or their surroundings, result in numerous deaths among the injured, children, and those seeking refuge due to the hospitals going out of service.
According to the Gaza government, since Oct. 7, Israel’s attacks have resulted in the deaths of 11,500 people in the Gaza Strip, including 4,710 children and 3,160 women. This means that, on average, 5 children lose their lives every hour due to Israel’s attacks in Gaza.
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In a statement from the UK-based non-governmental organization Save The Children, it was highlighted that the number of children killed in Palestine surpasses those who lost their lives worldwide due to conflicts in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
It shows that approximately 15% of women giving birth in Gaza are “likely” to experience complications related to pregnancy or childbirth.
Save the Children predicts over 66,000 births in Gaza this year, with 5,500 expected next month amid a period of deprivation of basic necessities. Clean water is scarce, and shortages of food and medicine persist. Hospitals and health facilities, already facing challenges, are under attack, posing a severe threat to thousands, including pregnant women and newborns, it said in a statement.
Over 180 babies born daily in Gaza
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announced, based on data from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), that there are 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza, with over 180 giving birth every day.
Amid Israel’s ongoing air and ground attacks on Gaza, an average of 7 babies are born per hour under bombardment.
Every 10 minutes, a child is killed in Gaza, with 1.5 million displaced and in search of shelter, as stated by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Ghebreyesus stresses rising health risks in Gaza due to crowding, citing 9,000 undergoing cancer treatment and 350,000 with heart, diabetes, and hypertension conditions.”