Palestinian health official: Fetal abnormalities rise more than 60% in Gaza

GAZA, Jan. 15 (YPA) – Zaher Al-Wuhaidi, Director of the Information Department at the Ministry of Health in Gaza , stated  that the number of babies born with deformities, low birth weights, and premature deliveries in 2025 has been alarming.

In a statement, Al-Waheidi said that around 49,180 babies were born underweight, and there were 4,000 premature births.

He added that 315 children were born with congenital deformities, including bladder and heart anomalies. Moreover, 6,600 stillbirths and 5,000 miscarriages (before 24 weeks of gestation) were recorded.

Al-Wuhaidi confirmed that 450 infants died within a week of birth due to a range of illnesses.

The director of the information department revealed that rates of fetal abnormalities had risen by more than 60% compared with normal levels, attributing the rise to the ongoing Israeli genocidal war against the Gaza Strip.

He stressed that the main causes are the war’s effects—women’s exposure to smoke and dust from bombings, malnutrition, famine, sewage contamination, lack of hygiene, and the harsh living conditions in displacement tents.

@E.Y.M