{
  "id": 19849555,
  "title": "Gaza baby dies from exposure to cold as WHO warns of rising infection rates",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/gaza-baby-dies-from-exposure-to-cold-as-who-warns-of-rising-infection-19849555",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-13T18:22:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/11/13/gaza-baby-dies-from-exposure-to-cold-as-who-warns-of-rising-infection-rates/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A nine-month-old infant in Gaza has become the first casualty of the cold winter weather, according to the local health authority. Kinan Ahmed Arqiq tragically passed away upon arrival at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis after being transferred from Kuwaiti Hospital, as reported on Telegram by the Gaza Health Ministry. Forensic examination confirmed that hypothermia was the cause of death. This incident highlights the urgent global concern over the scarcity of proper shelter, clothing, and medical supplies necessary to protect Gazans from the harsh winter conditions and ongoing rains. In a separate incident on November 7, five people, including three children, were killed when a sandbank collapsed onto tents in central Gaza due to heavy rain that also flooded tens of thousands of tents in displacement camps. Gaza, with a population of over two million people, is largely residing in makeshift shelters following two years of relentless Israeli bombardment and a ground offensive that destroyed homes and infrastructure across the Palestinian territory. Recently, a group of 53 UN member states and organizations urged Israel's incoming government to lift restrictions on aid entering Gaza. This appeal, led by Britain, Qatar, and Jordan, called for aid to be delivered through all available crossings and land routes, and for humanitarian corridors through Egypt and Jordan to function seamlessly and predictably. Britain's ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, speaking on behalf of the co-signatories, warned that the lack of adequate shelter continues to impede humanitarian organizations from providing the necessary life-saving supplies. She emphasized that individuals without proper shelter face risks such as hypothermia, respiratory infections, waterborne diseases, and other preventable illnesses. As of now, approximately 1.4 million people, or 65 percent of Gaza's population, are living in tents or temporary shelters. The World Health Organization has forecasted a surge in respiratory illnesses in the territory, which is expected to worsen with the recent heavy rain. Dr. Reinhilde Van De Weerdt, the WHO representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, stated that acute respiratory infections are currently 33,000 cases higher than the same period last year. The crowded living conditions and poor sanitation in Gaza are exacerbating the spread of infections, as the Israeli military's advance towards the \"yellow line\" brings people into closer proximity, increasing the likelihood of virus transmission. Dr. Van De Weerdt remarked that the situation has become increasingly dire, with poor living conditions and severe overcrowding driving up infection rates. She noted that the recent rainfall has only revealed a glimpse of what the coming months will bring, and winter is not even fully in effect. The worst is yet to come, according to Dr. Van De Weerdt. Nearly a million displaced people in Gaza reside in flood-prone areas, with 400,000 of them in locations deemed to be at extremely high risk, as reported by the WHO. The agency highlighted that flooding increases the risk of contaminated water, which, coupled with standing water that attracts mosquitoes and pests, encourages the breeding of disease-carrying organisms. Dampness also fosters the growth of mold and bacteria, significant contributors to respiratory infections, particularly in young children. The WHO is facing particular challenges in acquiring laboratory supplies, which are crucial for diagnosing patients promptly to ensure timely treatment.",
  "summary": "A nine-month-old baby has become the first victim of falling temperatures in Gaza as winter sets in, the local health authority said on Friday. Kinan Ahmed Arqiq was declared dead on arrival at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis after being transferred from the Kuwaiti Hospital on Thursday, the Gaza Health Ministry said in a post on Telegram. A forensic examination confirmed that the death…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}