Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has issued a stark warning about the increasing dangers for children in Gaza as winter arrives, amid the worsening humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing Israeli war.

In a statement released on Thursday, MSF highlighted that more than 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced from their homes, with many seeking refuge in fragile tents that offer little protection from the harsh winter cold, putting their lives at serious risk.

On December 25, 2024, three infants under one month old tragically died at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis due to exposure to extreme cold. The babies were living in tents in the Al-Mawasi area, where overcrowding and lack of basic services contribute to dire health conditions.

MSF reported that as winter sets in, children are becoming more vulnerable to illness due to the frigid temperatures and inadequate living conditions. Most families cannot afford essential items like heating or blankets, which can cost up to $200.

"Last winter, some people found shelter in buildings. But after 14 months of war, most are now forced to live in tents that barely shield them from the wind and rain," said Pascal Coizard, MSF’s emergency coordinator.

At Nasser Hospital, where MSF provides support, the neonatal intensive care unit has seen a significant surge in cases, including respiratory infections, dehydration, and life-threatening premature births. Since October 2023, 325 such cases have been treated.

“The exceptional circumstances have made children more susceptible to hypothermia, complicating treatment,” explained Dr. Mohammed Abu Taim, a pediatrician at the hospital.

MSF stressed that the only way to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people is through an immediate and permanent ceasefire, as well as ensuring safe and unrestricted access for humanitarian and medical aid.