Shaza Abu Jarad has become the ninth child in Gaza to die from extreme cold this winter, amid continued restrictions on humanitarian aid despite an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Growing toll on children
Medical officials in Gaza Strip said Shaza, an infant, succumbed to hypothermia as freezing night temperatures swept through displacement camps and damaged neighbourhoods. Thousands of families remain without adequate shelter, heating, blankets, or winter clothing.
Health workers and aid agencies warn that infants and elderly people are particularly vulnerable, with overcrowded tents and makeshift shelters offering little protection against the cold.
Aid restrictions deepen suffering
Humanitarian organisations say that although a ceasefire is in place, Israeli restrictions on the entry of essential supplies continue to severely limit the delivery of winter relief items such as fuel, blankets, and medical equipment. Aid convoys have reportedly faced delays and access constraints, slowing assistance to the most vulnerable.
Doctors in Gaza hospitals say many children arriving with respiratory infections and hypothermia could have survived with basic heating and insulation.
Humanitarian agencies raise alarm
International aid groups have described the situation as a “preventable tragedy”, stressing that no child should die from cold exposure. Calls have intensified for unrestricted humanitarian access, particularly as winter conditions persist.
The deaths have reignited global concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where prolonged conflict has left infrastructure shattered and more than a million people displaced.
Urgent calls for action
Rights groups and relief agencies have urged all parties to prioritise civilian protection and ensure immediate, safe passage for humanitarian aid. Without urgent intervention, they warn that more cold-related deaths are likely in the coming weeks.