Gaza Faces Hypothermia Crisis Amid Ongoing Conflict

January 2, 2025

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified due to severe cold weather. In just one week, six infants have succumbed to hypothermia. The ongoing conflict has restricted access to essential winter aid and medical support. Over 45,500 lives have been lost, predominantly among children and women. The population of 2.3 million, many displaced, faces dire conditions with inadequate food and water supplies.

About Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a medical condition where the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. The normal core temperature for humans is about 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). This temperature must be maintained for vital organs to function properly. When the body temperature drops below 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), hypothermia begins to set in.

Temperature Thresholds for Hypothermia

Hypothermia can occur even at temperatures above 4 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit). Factors like rain, wind, and immersion in cold water can accelerate heat loss. The severity of hypothermia is categorised as follows –

Mild Hypothermia – 32–35 degrees Celsius (89.6–95 degrees Fahrenheit)
Moderate Hypothermia – 28–32 degrees Celsius (82.4–89.6 degrees Fahrenheit)
Severe Hypothermia – Below 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 degrees Fahrenheit)

Symptoms of Hypothermia

Symptoms vary based on the severity of hypothermia. Initially, the body loses heat through the skin, and blood vessels constrict to conserve warmth. Shivering occurs as the body attempts to generate heat. However, prolonged exposure leads to muscle fatigue and confusion. As the condition worsens, shivering stops, heart rate and breathing slow down, and unconsciousness may occur. Severe cases can result in cardiac arrest if not treated promptly.

Treatment Options for Hypothermia

Timely intervention can reverse hypothermia. For mild to moderate cases, moving the individual to a warm environment, removing wet clothing, and using blankets are effective. Warm, non-alcoholic drinks can aid recovery if the person is conscious. Severe hypothermia requires medical intervention, including passive rewarming with blankets and active rewarming techniques, such as intravenous warm fluids.

Infants and Hypothermia Risk

Infants are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia due to their larger surface area relative to body mass. They lose heat more rapidly and may not show clear signs of cold stress. Malnutrition exacerbates this risk, and with food shortages due to the conflict, infants in Gaza are at an increased risk of hypothermia.

Hypothermia can occur above 4C (40F).
Severe hypothermia is defined as below 28C (82.4F).
Infants lose heat more quickly due to their body shape.
Winter temperatures in Gaza can drop to 9C (45F).
Rare instances of snow have been recorded in Gaza.

Current Weather Conditions in Gaza

In late December 2024, Gaza’s temperatures ranged from 19 to 20 degrees Celsius (66 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and dropped to 11 to 12 degrees Celsius (52 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit) at night. The harsh winter has been compounded by heavy rains and strong winds, damaging makeshift shelters. Residents face challenges in obtaining fuel for heating, leading many to seek firewood from trees.

Key Facts about the Gaza Strip

It is in the eastern Mediterranean basin.
It shares borders with:
- Egypt to the southwest.
- Israel to the north and east.
- Mediterranean Sea to the west.
Gaza is surrounded by walls on three sides. Its western border is under the control of Israel, restricting the region’s access to sea.
There are 3 border crossing – Rafah Crossing (under the control of Egypt) and Karem Abu Salem Crossing and Erez Crossing (under the control of Israel).
Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated regions globally.
“Open Air Prison” is the term widely used to describe Gaza’s living conditions.

Historical Significance

Six-Day War (1967): Israel captured Gaza from Egypt and initiated military occupation.
Israeli Withdrawal (2005): Israel removed its settlements but imposed intermittent blockades.
Hamas came to power in Gaza in 2007. Following this, Israel and Egypt enforced a permanent blockade, citing security concerns.
The blockade caused severe economic crisis, leading to high levels of unemployment, food insecurity and aid dependency.

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