Gaza's Ministry of Health has confirmed the death of Dr. Ahmed Al-Zaharneh, a Palestinian doctor working at the European Gaza Hospital, who was killed by the extreme cold affecting the region. His body was found in his tent in the Al-Mawasi area, located west of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.

The Ministry's statement explained that Dr. Al-Zaharneh's death was a tragic result of the unbearable humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by the ongoing Israeli occupation forces' actions. The statement also reported the deaths of three newborn infants, who perished due to freezing temperatures over the last 48 hours. These infants, aged between 4 and 21 days, died as a result of food insecurity and poor living conditions, which have led to illnesses among children.

For the second consecutive year, 90% of Gaza's population is enduring harsh conditions, living in makeshift shelters made of thin cloth and nylon. These shelters lack basic necessities such as blankets, warm clothing, water, food, and medicine, leaving many vulnerable to the brutal winter cold, especially children.

The United Nations has raised alarms about the survival of those living in these shelters, with at least 945,000 people in urgent need of winter supplies, which have become scarce and overpriced. Since the Israeli occupation forces' offensive began on October 7, 2023, Gaza has faced a genocidal war funded and supported by the United States. Over 153,000 people have been killed or wounded, with 11,000 more missing, as Gaza's infrastructure has been obliterated, leading to widespread famine and a humanitarian catastrophe.

Despite the ongoing airstrikes, thousands of casualties remain trapped under rubble, and the situation is worsened by a crippling siege that restricts the entry of vital aid, fuel, and resources necessary to address the dire conditions.