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
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street

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

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Lancet
  • 25 Oct 2024 15:50
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

International physicians working alongside local Palestinian healthcare workers have documented the breakdown of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure during medical missions, as per The Lancet.

Listen
  • x
  • Asser and Aysal Abu al-Qumsan were killed when they were four days old. (Muhammad Abu al-Qumsan)
    Asser and Aysal Abu al-Qumsan were killed when they were four days old (Muhammad Abu al-Qumsan)

A recent report by The Lancet has underscored the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza due to the ongoing Israeli military offensive, which has triggered widespread famine and a drastic decline in maternal health services, profoundly affecting the well-being of pregnant women and children. 

The report highlighted that the near-total collapse of Gaza's healthcare system, coupled with restricted access to essential medical services, has resulted in a tragic surge in preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.

Gaza's silent crisis: Maternal health in the crosshairs of Israeli genocide

International physicians working alongside local Palestinian healthcare workers have documented the breakdown of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure during medical missions, as per the report.

They reported as cited by The Lancet that what was once a celebratory event—childbirth—has now become a struggle for survival. Prenatal care is nearly nonexistent, and the incidence of premature labor has surged, often due to the chronic stress associated with displacement, malnutrition, and the trauma of relentless airstrikes.

With hospitals overwhelmed by mass casualties, many maternity wards, according to the report, have become non-functional, forcing some women to give birth in unsanitary conditions without the assistance of midwives or doctors.

This reproductive crisis is not merely a consequence of military actions but a deliberate outcome of policies that restrict access to healthcare, the report added.

Israeli blockade turns pregnancy into a life-threatening experience

The Lancet warned that the targeting of maternity hospitals and the blockade limiting essential medical supplies—including anesthetics and maternity kits—have transformed pregnancy into a life-threatening experience for thousands of women.

Reports from local physicians in Gaza reveal an alarming rise in maternal deaths, miscarriages, and stillbirths. Additionally, many pregnant women are suffering from malnutrition, which exacerbates these tragic outcomes. Without access to adequate nutrition and healthcare, they endure pregnancies under conditions that challenge human dignity, as per the report.

The Lancet concluded by highlighting that the Israeli blockade, now in its second decade and tightened further in recent months, has intensified the suffering of the residents of Gaza, revealing dire implications for future generations.

The prevention of births in Gaza, as per the report, is not simply collateral damage; it constitutes a violation of international law and highlights the structural Israeli violence inflicted upon the population.

  • Gaza newborns
  • Gaza genocide
  • Israeli occupation
  • Israeli blockade
  • pregnant women
  • Israeli genocide
  • Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

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