In November 2023, in the midst of the ongoing war in Gaza, Ala’a found herself in a situation no pregnant woman should ever have to endure. She was one of approximately 155,000 pregnant women and new mothers in the Gaza Strip who had been forced to give birth under the constant threat of rockets and bombs, in makeshift tents, often without access to essential medical care or even clean water.
Despite the overwhelming challenges she faced, Ala’a remained determined to bring her baby into the world. In a heartfelt letter, she expressed her gratitude to the dedicated health care workers who assisted her in delivering her baby in a field hospital in Khan Younis. “The sound of the rockets and bombs was louder than my happiness, but I decided that with my little baby, we would overcome all difficulties,” she wrote. “We will survive whatever happens.”
The situation for pregnant women in Gaza was nothing short of catastrophic. With health services severely depleted and medical facilities under constant attack, the already dire conditions had become unimaginably worse. Only 17 out of 36 hospitals were partially functioning, and essential supplies and resources were running dangerously low. Health care workers were being killed or forced to flee, leaving those who remained overwhelmed and overworked.
More than 500,000 women in Gaza had lost access to critical services such as prenatal and postnatal care, family planning, and treatment for infections. Over 17,000 pregnant women were on the brink of famine, facing the harsh reality of bringing a child into a world plagued by violence and scarcity.
Ala’a’s own journey was filled with heartache and uncertainty. Forced to leave her home and live in a tent after seven months of pregnancy, she experienced the anguish of displacement and the fear of not being able to provide a safe environment for her child. When she was evacuated once again, she found herself giving birth under fire, running for safety amidst the chaos and destruction.
The plight of pregnant women in Gaza was exacerbated by the mass displacement of 1.9 million people, many of whom had been uprooted multiple times over the course of the conflict. Reports of increased miscarriages, obstetric complications, low birth weight, and premature births highlighted the toll that stress, malnutrition, and lack of proper medical care were taking on expectant mothers.
Despite the overwhelming challenges she faced, Ala’a clung to hope and resilience. In the midst of uncertainty and despair, she found a glimmer of light. “Two weeks later I felt some pain…It was labour pains! [I thought] ‘No. It’s too early, I want to give birth at home,’” she recalled. After four days of labor, she sought refuge in a field hospital in Khan Younis, where she received the care and support she so desperately needed.
The stories of Ala’a and countless other pregnant women in Gaza shed light on the unimaginable hardships they faced on a daily basis. The ongoing conflict had taken a devastating toll on the most vulnerable members of society, leaving pregnant women and new mothers to navigate the perils of childbirth in the midst of violence and destruction.
As the war in Gaza continued to ravage the region, it was clear that urgent action was needed to ensure the safety and well-being of pregnant women and their newborns. Access to essential medical care, supplies, and support was crucial in mitigating the impact of the conflict on maternal and child health.
Ala’a’s resilience and determination stood as a testament to the strength and courage of mothers in Gaza who continued to bravely bring new life into a world torn apart by war. Amidst the chaos and devastation, their unwavering spirit and hope for a better future shone brightly, reminding us all of the power of the human spirit to endure and overcome even the most unimaginable challenges.
