‘Catastrophic birth outcomes’ in Gaza threaten a whole generation, warns UN agency

This article is published in association with United Nations.

Pregnant women and newborns in Gaza face “catastrophic” conditions, including a dysfunctional healthcare system, psychological stress and food deprivation, the UN reproductive health agency UNFPA reported on Wednesday. 

In the first half of 2025, only 17,000 births were recorded, according to Gazan health authorities, representing a 41 per cent decline in Gaza’s birth rate over the past three years, the agency said.

“Every mother and child deserves the right to a safe birth and a healthy start to life. What we are witnessing is a systematic denial of these fundamental rights, pushing an entire generation to the brink,” said Laila Baker, regional director for the Arab States at UNFPA.

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These conditions come amidst an ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza, which has displaced the entire Palestinian population at least once and reportedly killed over 60,000.  

Something treatable becomes a death sentence 

UNFPA said that the systematic targeting of a healthcare system already on the brink of collapse is creating an untenable situation for mothers and newborns.  

The majority of hospitals and health facilities have been damaged or destroyed, with medicine stocks running severely low and medical equipment severely damaged.  

Ambulance services are also facing severe impediments, meaning that women giving birth face extreme challenges accessing healthcare. In this context, treatable complications during birth become death sentences.  

“The scale of suffering for new mothers and their babies in Gaza is beyond comprehension,” Ms. Baker said.  

Preventable loss

UNFPA said it has 170 trucks at the border between Israel and Gaza – and has since March 2025 – which contain life-saving supplies such as ultrasound machines, portable incubators and maternity kits. However, they have not been allowed into the Strip.  

The agency urged Israel to allow “unimpeded, sustained and demilitarised” humanitarian aid into Gaza including fuel, medical supplies and nutritional support.  

“Every moment lost means more preventable loss of life and unimaginable suffering for the most vulnerable,” it said.  

Aid operations under severe strain

Meanwhile, in New York, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that the Organization’s humanitarian operations in Gaza are “currently under severe strain”, with aid workers facing serious security risks, unreliable crossings and routine delays or blockages of supplies.

He said the UN “stands ready to seize the opportunity of a ceasefire to significantly scale up humanitarian operations across the Gaza Strip as we did during the previous ceasefire.”

“Our plans are ready, and they are finalised.”

However, this depends on Israel enabling safe, unimpeded aid delivery: opening all crossings, restoring key supply routes, allowing in fuel and essential equipment and ensuring the safety of humanitarian staff and civilian movement.

Needs are worsening

During a visit to Gaza, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov met with aid agencies in Deir Al-Balah and praised workers operating “under extraordinarily difficult and dangerous conditions”.

Needs are worsening: 109 relief organizations warn mass starvation is spreading, aid workers are fainting from hunger, child malnutrition is surging and hospitals are overwhelmed and closing for lack of fuel.

“The amount of aid that has been entering Gaza is only a trickle compared to the immense needs. Above all, we need a ceasefire to put an end to this devastating situation,” Mr. Dujarric said.