Local authorities in Gaza report that a Palestinian infant has perished due to freezing temperatures, with Israel maintaining restrictions on shelter supplies and other essential humanitarian assistance to the territory during severe winter weather.
The Gaza Health Ministry stated on Tuesday that Mohammed Khalil Abu al-Khair, aged two weeks, passed away on Monday after receiving treatment for extreme hypothermia caused by the intense cold affecting the region.
Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Gaza City, observed that the child's death occurs as fundamental protections in Gaza have been "systematically dismantled" due to what he described as Israel's genocidal campaign against Palestinians.
"Families are living in tents on wet ground without heating, electricity or sufficient clothing," Abu Azzoum said. "When food, fuel, shelter and aid are banned, cold absolutely becomes lethal."
Israel's two-year military offensive has destroyed over 80% of structures throughout Gaza, displacing hundreds of thousands of families into fragile tents or overcrowded temporary shelters.
A major storm recently struck the area, resulting in at least 11 fatalities as heavy rains and strong winds flooded tents and caused already damaged buildings to fall.
"We try to dry the children's clothes over the fire," Umm Mohammed Assaliya, a displaced Palestinian mother, told Al Jazeera from Gaza City. "There are no spare clothes for them. I am exhausted. The tent we were given cannot withstand winter conditions. We need blankets," she said.
Humanitarian organizations have called on Israel to permit unrestricted aid deliveries to Gaza.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), identified by the UN as the most capable distributor in the territory, reports that the Israeli government has prevented it from directly transporting aid into Gaza.
"People have reportedly died due to the collapse of damaged buildings where families were sheltering. Children have reportedly died from exposure to the cold," UNRWA posted on social media on Tuesday. "This must stop. Aid must be allowed in at scale, now."
Hamas Criticizes Israeli Ceasefire Breaches
In related developments, Hamas has condemned Israel for multiple violations of a ceasefire agreement that began in October.
According to the latest data from Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 393 Palestinians have been killed and 1,074 injured in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire's first full day on October 11.
Israeli forces also killed senior Hamas leader Raed Saad in a targeted strike on a vehicle in western Gaza City on Saturday, further undermining the fragile truce.
On Tuesday, Hamas official Ghazi Hamad accused Israel of "manipulating" the wording of the US-mediated agreement.
"We want to make it absolutely clear: the ceasefire agreement is straightforward, detailed, and unambiguous. However, it's evident that the Israeli occupation has distorted the text, manipulating and violating every single article," Hamad said. "Since day one, Hamas has fully abided by the agreement and honoured its commitments. In contrast, Israel has deliberately committed several systematic and preplanned breaches."
