Gaza's pregnant women struggle to give birth safely

The forced displacement of 80 percent of Gaza's population has taken a particularly heavy toll on the plight of pregnant women, which the UN estimates to be around 50,000.

Khaled, a medical graduate from Gaza, described the dire situation pregnant women are facing.

He told Middle East Eye that around 300 pregnant women arrive daily in the maternity ward of the Al-Aqsa Hospital where he's been volunteering.

"Many of them had to travel long distances, some evacuated from the north to the south on foot just to get here. Those who live here often arrive on donkey-led carts or on foot, and very few by car," he said.

Khaled noted that many pregnant women suffer from malnutrition, dehydration or anaemia, pointing out that the constant sound of bombings, inhalation of white phosphorus, stress and anxiety pose serious risks, leading to an increase in miscarriages.

"I've seen cases where pregnant women, particularly those in the early months of pregnancy, had inhaled white phosphorus, resulting in the death of their fetus. Some of them had undergone IVF procedures after a long wait. Others experienced their amniotic fluid leaking while walking to the hospital as they couldn't find a ride," Khaled said.