GAZA, (PIC)
Born without a brain and with severe deformities, baby Malak Ahmad Al-Qanou’ came into the world at Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza—an appalling reminder of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe and acts of genocide perpetrated by the Israeli occupation, with unprecedented support from Western, particularly American, powers. These powers have supplied deadly weapons whose catastrophic health consequences for Gaza’s civilians are now emerging in heartbreaking cases like this, which lay bare the scale of the crimes committed before the eyes of the world.
Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, Director-General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, described Malak—just two days old—as one of the “shocking cases of fetal deformities.” In a post on his official account on X, accompanied by a video documenting the case, he noted that these deformities are becoming increasingly common during wartime, possibly linked to experimental weaponry used by the Israeli military on civilians, including children.
Al-Bursh drew parallels with post-invasion Iraq, where the use of toxic and radioactive munitions led to a surge in congenital defects. He called for an international investigation into the causes of these repeated cases and the nature of the weapons being deployed.
A significant rise
Since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the Strip has witnessed a marked rise in the number of newborns with birth defects. According to official data and medical sources, 172 newborns at Nasser Medical Complex alone were diagnosed with congenital deformities or disorders between June and August 2024. Of these, 20% died. The trend is particularly noticeable in northern Gaza, though accurate statistics are lacking due to the destruction of Al-Shifa Hospital and the collapse of the region’s health and administrative infrastructure, forcing many cases to be treated in private clinics.
Dr. Hatem Dhahir, head of the neonatal unit at Al-Tahrir Hospital for Women and Childbirth at Nasser Medical Complex, confirmed a consistent increase in newborns with deformities, particularly affecting the heart, reproductive organs, and lower limbs, according to an investigation by Al Jazeera.
Rami Abdu, head of the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, stated that since October 7, 2023, the Israeli military has dropped 70,000 tons of explosives on Gaza. In media comments, he acknowledged a possible link between these bombings and the rise in birth defects, though scientific confirmation is still needed—a challenge since Israel has blocked international experts from entering Gaza to investigate.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), up to 20% of Gaza’s 55,000 pregnant women suffer from malnutrition, with half facing high-risk pregnancies. In February and March 2025, at least 20% of newborns were either premature, born with complications or deformities, or malnourished.
