‘Five babies in one incubator’ in Gaza, HRW report says
Israeli military evacuation orders amid its war on Gaza made it nearly impossible for pregnant women and babies to receive life-saving healthcare in violation of their rights, a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report said.
Dr Ahmed al-Shaer, at al-Helal al-Emirati maternity hospital in Rafah, said they had so few incubators and so many preterm babies that, “We have to put four or five babies in one incubator. ... Most of them don’t survive.”
In July, the rate of miscarriage in Gaza had increased by up to 300 per cent since the start of the war, reported HRW, citing maternal health experts.
The report also said the circumstances for pregnant women and babies are not likely to improve despite the ceasefire, due to Israel's ban on the UN’s agency for Palestine refugees (Unrwa). Set to take effect next week, the ban will limit the humanitarian aid to Gaza.
NEW: The Israeli government’s blockade of Gaza and attacks on healthcare facilities have directly harmed women and girls during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) January 28, 2025
In a new report, HRW details these violations of pregnant women’s rights: https://t.co/YNfJDoddtM pic.twitter.com/Ap4KGiu7py