Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City

Gaza newborns gasp for life, share oxygen masks amid collapsed system

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Oct 2025 12:24
4 Min Read

UNICEF warns that Gaza’s collapsing healthcare system is pushing newborns and mothers to the brink, as hospitals run out of incubators, oxygen, and essential supplies.

Listen
  • x
  • Gaza’s newborns gasp for life as hospitals collapse amid Israeli war
    A nurse carries the body of a 15-day-old premature infant, Sila Zidane, after she died at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, amid Israeli genocide and total blockade. (AP)

UNICEF has warned that newborn babies in Gaza are being forced to share oxygen masks as "Israel" continues to block the transfer of vital medical equipment. A UN children’s agency official said "Israel" has repeatedly denied permission to move incubators from an evacuated hospital in northern Gaza, intensifying the strain on already overcrowded hospitals further south.

Two years of Israeli aggression on Gaza worsened maternal stress and malnutrition, contributing to a surge in premature and underweight infants. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these babies now represent roughly one in five newborns in Gaza.

An Israeli assault on Gaza City in northern Gaza over the past month has forced hospitals to close, further compounding the pressure on southern facilities.

'Infants are sharing oxygen masks and beds'

James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson, described the dire conditions at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, where mothers and babies are lining corridors. Premature infants are reportedly sharing oxygen masks and beds, while equipment remains stranded in the north.

“We've been trying to recover incubators from a hospital that was evacuated in the north, and we've had four missions denied simply to get those incubators,” Elder told Reuters, referring to supplies stuck at the damaged Al-Rantissi Children’s Hospital in Gaza City.

In one southern pediatric ward he visited, Elder said, “There were three babies and three mums on a single bed, one source of oxygen, and the mothers would rotate the oxygen 20 minutes to each child. This is the level of desperation mums have now got to.”

Related News

Childbirth in Gaza: Once joyous occasion, now struggle for survival

The UN humanitarian office reported that "Israel" has denied or impeded 45% of its 8,000 requested missions in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

UNICEF has urged the evacuation of ill and premature babies still in northern Gaza hospitals. While the WHO recently transferred three infants to southern hospitals, one tragically died before the mission could be completed. Currently, only 14 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are at least partially operational, according to WHO data.

Toll on Gaza’s children

UNICEF highlighted the catastrophic impact of two years of Israeli war on Gaza’s children. “For more than 700 days, children in Gaza have been killed, maimed, and displaced in a devastating war that is an affront to our shared humanity. Israeli strikes on Gaza City and other parts of the Gaza Strip continue. The world cannot, and must not, allow this to go on,” the agency stressed.

Israeli strikes on Gaza City and other parts of the Gaza Strip continue.

For more than 700 days, children in Gaza have been killed, maimed, and displaced in a devastating war that is an affront to our shared humanity.

This war must end now. Read more: https://t.co/7qItkloAtN pic.twitter.com/I1pearGZXn

— Catherine Russell (@unicefchief) October 8, 2025

In total, at least 64,000 children have reportedly been killed or maimed, including more than 1,000 infants. The number of deaths from preventable illnesses or from rubble-related injuries remains unknown.

Famine is spreading from Gaza City to the south, leaving children in critical condition. Malnutrition, particularly among infants, has caused long-lasting developmental harm.

Calls for a ceasefire, protection of Palestinians

UNICEF stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire. “Since Saturday morning, at least 14 children have reportedly been killed, as intense bombing and shelling by Israel continue to hit Gaza City and other areas,” the agency said.

UNICEF welcomed efforts to end the war and pursue peace, emphasizing that any plan must include a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the safe, rapid, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid at scale, especially to children.

“International humanitarian law is clear: we call on Israel to ensure the full protection of the lives of all civilians. Denying humanitarian assistance to civilians is unequivocally prohibited,” UNICEF said. The agency stressed adherence to the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution, noting that civilians who cannot evacuate or choose not to must always be protected.

“Every child killed is an irreplaceable loss. For the sake of all children in Gaza, this war must end now.”

  • Gaza newborns
  • Israel
  • Gaza genocide
  • Israeli occupation
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Displaced Sudanese who fled El-Fasher after the city fell to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), rest near the town of Tawila in war-torn Sudan's western Darfur region (AP)
Politics

UAE directly funded RSF, leading to fall of El-Fasher: Sudan

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests
Politics

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests

This photo released by the Israeli military on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, shows ground operations inside the Gaza Strip (AP)
Politics

IOF soldier who fought in Gaza, Lebanon denied entry to Czech Republic

UN inquiry exposes 'Israel’s' four genocidal crimes against Gaza
Politics

'Israel' committed four genocidal acts in Gaza, UN inquiry finds

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS