“Gaza Health Ministry: Israeli Aggression caused unprecedented rise in deformed, premature births in 2025”

The Director of the Information Department at the Gaza Health Ministry, Zaher Al-Wahidi, said that the number of births with deformities, abnormal weights, and premature birth cases during 2025 was shocking in the Strip.

Al-Wahidi explained in a statement to the Palestinian “Safa” agency on Wednesday that last year saw the registration of 48,500 births resulting in 49,180 newborns, including 4,900 newborns with abnormal weights and 4,000 premature births.

He added that the ministry documented the birth of 315 children with congenital deformities affecting the heart, bladder, and other deformities, in addition to 616 intrauterine deaths and 5,000 abortions before the 24th week of pregnancy.

He pointed to the death of 450 children during the first week after birth due to various diseases, confirming that the rise in deformities and premature births exceeded 60% compared to normal cases.

He affirmed that the war is the main reason behind these unprecedented cases, indicating that women in Gaza are exposed to inhaling missile dust and gunpowder, in addition to the impact of malnutrition and famine on fetal health, and the spread of sewage water and lack of hygiene, which increased health risks and harsh conditions for pregnant women, especially in tents.