News|Israel-Palestine conflictMSF urges Israel to let critical aid into Gaza as children freeze to deathAt least 13 people in Gaza, including two-week-old and one-month-old babies, have died from winter weather and a lack of adequate shelter and aid – blocked by Israel.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has reported adverse health impacts on infants and children in the Gaza Strip due to severe winter weather. The organization has called for the easing of aid blockades to address the escalating health risks caused by extreme weather conditions.

As of Thu, Dec 18, 2025, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported a death toll of 13 individuals due to extreme weather. This includes a 29-day-old premature infant who succumbed to hypothermia. The harsh conditions have led to an increase in respiratory infections, particularly affecting children under five.

Ahmed al-Farra, head of the maternity and pediatric department at Nasser Medical Complex, emphasized the dangers of hypothermia for infants. He highlighted the urgent need for adequate shelter and heating solutions to prevent further fatalities.

Bilal Abu Saada, a nursing supervisor at Nasser Hospital, reported that children are arriving at the hospital in critical condition due to exposure to cold weather.

MSF has urged Israeli authorities to facilitate the massive scaling-up of aid into Gaza. The organization has noted that severe weather conditions have left hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in inadequate shelters, exacerbating health risks.

Despite a ceasefire effective from October 10, 2025, the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip remains restricted. According to the United Nations, essential supplies like tents and blankets are being withheld, impacting approximately 55,000 families.

Natasha Hall, a senior advocate for Refugees International, reported that aid is entering Gaza in limited quantities, citing issues with the classification of "controlled dual-use items," which includes basic necessities.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.