Targeted Before Birth: Pregnant Women in Gaza Suffer Amid Ongoing Israeli Attacks

02-11-2023

Perla Khaled

Middle East and Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence

Israel’s total siege on Gaza and its continuous bombardment since October 7 has not spared any civilians, including children and foetuses, leaving more than 50,000 pregnant women unable to access critical medical care.

Amid a collapsing healthcare system due to aggressive assaults and restrictions of movement carried out by Israeli forces, pregnant women in Gaza have been compelled to undergo caesarean sections under phone flashlights and without the availability of pain relief, as hospitals have exhausted their anaesthetic supplies. [1]

The World Health Organization has reported that nearly 66% of healthcare facilities in Gaza are non-operational, leading to a severe lack of emergency obstetric care for most pregnant women and mothers. [2] This crisis has resulted in a surge in the number of caesarean operations and premature deliveries, primarily attributable to injuries sustained during air attacks. Additionally, there has been a threefold increase in the incidence of miscarriages, with more than 165 unsafe births recorded daily by the Palestinian Ministry of Health. [3]

Several doctors have been forced to resort to desperate measures, including performing hysterectomy operations on young women to save their lives due to severe blood loss. [4] In addition to these challenges, there has been a significant shortage of medical personnel, essential supplies, equipment, and proper delivery facilities. Over 130 premature infants who rely on incubators are now in grave danger of losing their lives due to the shortage of essential resources and a lack of electrical power. [5] This already critical situation has been further exacerbated following warnings by Israeli authorities to evacuate 24 hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip. [6]

Furthermore, ActionAid UK has raised concerns about the scarcity of food, which renders it challenging for pregnant and breastfeeding women to produce sufficient milk for their infants, putting their lives at risk. Access to clean water has also become a challenge for many. [7]

Only 72 aid trucks have delivered indispensable necessities like food, water, and medical provisions to Gaza, which amounts to a mere four percent of the daily average of supplies that used to enter Gaza before October 7. [8] This situation is especially critical as, according to the United Nations Population Fund, 5,500 pregnant women are due to give birth in November, which puts the lives of thousands of mothers and newborn babies at risk. [9]

Sources and further reading:

[1] Al Jazeera, ‘Pregnant women in peril from Israel’s bombardment’ (31 October 2023) <Pregnant women in peril from Israel’s bombardment | Gaza | Al Jazeera> accessed 02 November 2023.

[2] The Telegraph, ‘Doctors in Gaza perform caesareans by torch light as mothers die in childbirth, aid groups warn’ (31 October 2023) <https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/gaza-air-strikes-israel-hospitals-women-deaths-childbirth/> accessed 02 November 2023.

[3] Middle East Monitor, ‘166 unsafe births in Gaza every day’ (27 October 2023) <166 unsafe births in Gaza every day – Middle East Monitor> accessed 02 November 2023.

[4] Al Jazeera, ‘Pregnant women in peril from Israel’s bombardment’ (31 October 2023) <Pregnant women in peril from Israel’s bombardment | Gaza | Al Jazeera> accessed 02 November 2023.

[5] Middle East Monitor, ‘166 unsafe births in Gaza every day’ (27 October 2023) <166 unsafe births in Gaza every day – Middle East Monitor> accessed 02 November 2023.

[6] Ibid.

[7] The Telegraph, ‘Doctors in Gaza perform caesareans by torch light as mothers die in childbirth, aid groups warn’ (31 October 2023) <https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/gaza-air-strikes-israel-hospitals-women-deaths-childbirth/> accessed 02 November 2023.

[8] United Nations Population Fund, ‘Relentless attacks, collapse of health and safety systems leave Gaza's women and girls facing “unthinkable challenges’ (27 October 2023) <Relentless attacks, collapse of health and safety systems leave Gaza's women and girls facing “unthinkable challenges”> accessed 02 November 2023.

[9] Ibid.