Ali al-Batran, an infant displaced by Israeli attacks, passed away from severe cold and a lack of heating. His twin, Jumaa al-Batran, was in critical condition at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital but also died on Sunday from the same cause.
The recent deaths bring the total of infants who have frozen to death in Gaza over the past week to six, local health authorities confirmed.
Gaza has been under Israeli bombardment since October 7, 2023, with the UN reporting that nine out of every ten people in the region have been displaced. Many Palestinians are living in makeshift tents, facing dire conditions as temperatures continue to drop.
Families in Gaza are struggling with the absence of basic necessities such as clothing, bedding, and blankets, putting infants at greater risk of hypothermia.
Since the outbreak of Israeli genocidal war, more than 45,500 people have been killed in Gaza. Israel has imposed a severe blockade on the enclave, pushing its population of 2.3 million people to the brink of famine.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its crimes in the region.