A nine-month-old baby has died from a sharp drop in body temperature in Gaza. The Ministry of Health announced the death on Thursday through a statement carried by the Gaza Media Office, marking the first cold-related fatality of the winter season.
Officials identified the infant as Kinan Ahmed Arqiq. He was transferred from the Kuwaiti Hospital to the Nasser Medical Complex, where medical staff confirmed he arrived dead.
A forensic examination later confirmed that severe hypothermia was the cause of death. The health ministry noted that 10 people had died from cold exposure in Gaza during the previous winter season.
The tragedy occurred as hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians faced deteriorating living conditions. Heavy rainfall, flooding and severe shortages of adequate shelter have worsened daily struggles across the enclave.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that heavy rainfall between November 6 and 8 caused widespread flooding. The downpours damaged thousands of tents and makeshift shelters throughout the region.
United Nations figures indicate that about 1.4 million people are currently living in tents or temporary shelters. This population accounts for 65 percent of Gaza’s total residents.
Military actions by Israel have left much of the territory in ruins, forcing families into makeshift accommodations and damaged buildings. Israeli restrictions on shelter and repair supplies continue to hamper recovery efforts despite a ceasefire that has been in effect since October 2025.
