Born too soon: Premature babies fight for survival in Gaza

The Premature Infants Clinic at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza [Eman Abu Zayed/Al Jazeera]

July 25, 2026 - There has been a sharp increase in premature births and underweight newborns, as well as stillbirths and birth defects, since the genocide in Gaza began on October 7, 2023.

UNICEF has repeatedly warned about a crisis in premature births in Gaza, with one in every five newborns requiring intensive neonatal or thermal care. Maternal malnutrition, prolonged psychological stress and declining prenatal care services have all had an impact on both mother and child.

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