Photo: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Gaza Babies Forced to Share Oxygen Masks as Israel Blocks Equipment, UNICEF Says
Gaza's newborns are sharing oxygen masks due to a blockade by Israel preventing incubators from reaching hospitals, as reported by UNICEF amidst worsening malnutrition and health crises.
- Israel has denied the transfer of incubators from a hospital in North Gaza, exacerbating conditions in southern hospitals where newborns are forced to share limited oxygen masks.
- UNICEF officials highlighted that the situation has deteriorated, with overcrowded hospitals in Gaza City struggling to manage the influx of preterm births amid ongoing conflict.
- Malnutrition rates among infants are rising due to the blockade, with UNICEF and the World Health Organization warning that health emergencies could escalate without immediate humanitarian intervention.
Why It Matters
This crisis underscores the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where the blockade affects vulnerable populations, particularly newborns facing life-threatening health challenges. The situation reflects broader issues of access to healthcare amidst ongoing conflict, drawing international concern and calls for urgent action.