Eseid Abdeen, 42, carries the body of his 29-day-old infant son, Saeed, who, according to health authorities, died due to the cold weather, as he stands outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on December 18, 2025. (Photo by AP)

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has raised concerns about children in the Gaza Strip succumbing to severe cold, urging Israel to permit greater humanitarian aid access to assist Palestinians in enduring the harsh winter conditions.

The Paris-based organization said in a statement that "A 29-day-old baby died at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, just two hours after arriving at the pediatric ward supported by MSF."

"Despite all treatment efforts, the child could not be saved. He died from severe hypothermia," it added.

MSF warned that "the harsh winter weather, coupled with already dire living conditions, is exacerbating health risks."

The organization noted that its teams "continue to record high rates of respiratory infections, and these cases are expected to increase throughout the winter, posing a serious threat to children under five."

Concerning winter storms, which are worsening conditions for hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza, the MSF stated, "As Gaza is experiencing heavy rains and severe storms, the suffering of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in makeshift, dilapidated tents that are flooded continues."

Meanwhile, the United Nations reported on Friday that although the famine in Gaza has officially been declared over, a significant portion of the population still suffers from severe food insecurity.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported that the latest analysis indicates a notable improvement in food security and nutrition following the ceasefire announced on October 10, 2025.

The Rome-based organization, however, highlighted that a significant portion of the population continues to experience high levels of food insecurity, and the overall situation remains critical despite improved access to humanitarian aid and commercial food supplies.

The IPC brings together UN agencies and global partners as essential contributors.

The IPC reports that the entire Gaza Strip is categorized as being in a food emergency (Phase 4) until at least mid-April 2026. However, no areas are currently classified as experiencing famine (Phase 5).

According to IPC projections, the period from December 1, 2025, to April 15, 2026, is expected to remain critical, with approximately 1.6 million individuals continuing to face food insecurity at crisis levels or worse (Phase 3 or above).