Gaza Infant Dies from Severe Cold as Winter Conditions Worsen

DID Press: A nine-month-old infant has died from severe cold in the Gaza Strip, amid continued restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into the territory.

The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that Kenan Ahmad Ariq, a nine-month-old Palestinian infant, died after suffering a severe drop in body temperature. The incident has been described as the first cold-related death in Gaza during the current winter.

Meanwhile, Salah Abdel Aati, head of the International Commission to Support Palestinian People’s Rights, has described the situation facing displaced people in Gaza as catastrophic. He said that around 70,000 tents had been damaged or destroyed by rainfall.

According to Abdel Aati, more than 1.6 million people in Gaza are living in extremely difficult conditions. He added that, with 92 percent of residential buildings destroyed, the territory needs at least 270,000 durable tents capable of withstanding cold weather and rainfall.

Criticising restrictions on the entry of humanitarian assistance, Abdel Aati said the volume of aid reaching Gaza does not even meet 40 percent of the population’s actual needs.