55,000 Pregnant Women in Gaza – “ICSPR” Issues a Fact Sheet Unveiling the Health Catastrophe Threatening Pregnant Women and Newborns in the Gaza Strip

Date: July 21, 2025

Press Release

The International Commission “ICSPR” Issues a Fact Sheet Unveiling the Health Catastrophe Threatening Pregnant Women and Newborns in the Gaza Strip

The International Commission to Support Palestinian People’s Rights “ICSPR” has issued a fact sheet titled: “Pregnant Women and Newborns in the Gaza Strip… Suffering Under Bombardment and Siege”, prepared by researcher Reem Mansour. The paper details, through figures and field realities, the extent of the humanitarian disaster facing pregnant women and newborns amid the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 2023.

The paper paints a grim picture of the collapse of the healthcare system and the destruction of medical infrastructure, emphasizing that these violations constitute a flagrant breach of the Four Geneva Conventions, particularly the Fourth Convention related to the protection of civilians during conflict.

55,000 Pregnant Women in Gaza… A Third Face the Risk of Death

According to the paper, the number of pregnant women in the Gaza Strip is estimated at 55,000, one-third of whom are facing high-risk pregnancies. Amid the collapse of the health system, these women face the threat of giving birth without medical care, putting their lives and the lives of their babies at direct risk.

Approximately 130 babies are born daily in Gaza, with 27% delivered by cesarean section due to a lack of fuel, medical teams, and female specialists. Alarmingly, many births occur in tents, homes, or even in the streets, increasing the risk of hemorrhage and death for both mother and child.

Deaths and Deformities… Shocking Figures from Hospital Reality

In the first half of 2025, Gaza witnessed:

• 17,000 births

• 2,600 miscarriages

• 220 fetal deaths in utero before delivery

• 21 newborn deaths on their first day of life

• 67 cases of congenital deformities, including baby Malak Ahmad Al-Qanou’, born without a brain, attributed to radiation from Israeli bombing

Additionally:

• 2,535 newborns (14.91%) were admitted to NICU due to health complications

• 1,600 (9.41%) were born underweight

• 1,460 (8.59%) were premature births

Cesarean delivery rates exceeded 40% during certain periods due to the lack of prenatal care.

Collapse of Health Facilities… Infants Die from Cold and Hunger

According to UNICEF, 8 newborns died since December 2024 from hypothermia due to lack of shelter and heating. The paper also reports a severe shortage of incubators, with over 80% out of service due to power and fuel cuts.

Hospitals are experiencing acute shortages of infant formula, diapers, and essential antibiotics. Moreover, 14 hospitals and over 60% of health centers are out of service, leading to overcrowding in unequipped facilities.

Targeting of Hospitals and Medical Personnel

Since the start of the aggression, Israeli forces have deliberately targeted hospitals, notably Beit Hanoun Hospital, the Baptist Hospital, Al-Shifa, Al-Awda, and the Indonesian Hospital, leading to a near-total paralysis of medical services.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health:

• 38 hospitals, 81 health centers, and 164 health institutions have gone out of service

• 144 ambulances were targeted

• 1,402 healthcare workers were killed

• 362 medical personnel were detained, including 3 doctors subjected to torture

By January 2025, emergency obstetric and neonatal care was available only in:

• 7 of 18 partially operating hospitals

• 4 of 11 field hospitals

• 1 community health center

Newborns Facing Slow Death

The paper highlights that:

• A significant number of infants are born without specialized care, warmth, or proper nutrition

• They are at risk of birth asphyxia, weakened immunity, and infection in unsanitary shelters

• Infant formula has disappeared from markets for extended periods, and when available, prices are exorbitant, forcing families to use unsafe alternatives like powdered milk for adults

This has led to:

• The spread of acute malnutrition

• Increased neonatal mortality

• Symptoms like dehydration, anemia, and low weight

The Nutrition Cluster reported that 10% to 20% of 4,500 surveyed pregnant and breastfeeding women suffer from malnutrition, while the closure of 21 malnutrition treatment centers has disrupted care for over 350 malnourished children.

Psychological Collapse and Absence of Community Support

The paper notes that:

• Pregnant women are under severe psychological stress, suffering from postpartum depression and untreated trauma

• Psychosocial support services are non-existent due to the destruction of centers and displacement of staff

Systematic Violations of International Law

The legal framework highlighted in the paper outlines Israel’s obligations:

• The Fourth Geneva Convention (Articles 16, 23, 50) mandates healthcare and food for pregnant women and children

• Additional Protocols prohibit starvation and require protection of women and children

• The Convention on the Rights of the Child ensures the right to life, nutrition, and healthcare

• CEDAW mandates medical, nutritional, and psychological support for pregnant women in conflict

• The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights prioritizes vulnerable groups like pregnant women during emergencies

Final Recommendations from ICSPR

The International Commission “ICSPR” called for urgent international action to:

1. Pressure Israel to end the aggression and allow humanitarian aid

2. Open safe humanitarian corridors for pregnant women and newborns

3. Hold Israel accountable for weaponizing food and medicine

4. Support field maternity centers with staff and equipment

5. Ensure continuous fuel supply for hospitals to operate incubators and ventilators

6. Enable NGOs to provide psychosocial and reproductive health support

7. Guarantee access to food and clean water for mothers in shelters

To read the full fact sheet, click here