Gaza - Saba:
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Basayneh, a consultant gynecologist and obstetrician at the Friends of the Patient Association in Gaza City, revealed a significant increase in fetal malformations among pregnant women in the Gaza Strip, attributing this to the inhalation of toxic gases emitted by Israeli rocket bombs, in addition to severe malnutrition and difficult conditions of displacement.
"The Israeli genocide on Gaza has had devastating effects on pregnant women and fetuses," Dr. Al-Basayneh said in press statements on Sunday, explaining that the critical period is the first three months of pregnancy, when the vital organs of the fetus begin to form.
"We have recorded horrific cases of congenital malformations, most notably: The absence of the skull, limb deformities, intestinal obstruction, and abdominal wall deformities, in addition to many births of underweight babies, some of whom do not exceed one kilo or one kilo and 400 grams."
Dr. Al-Basayneh stressed that chemical weapons are not the only cause, but that other serious factors are involved, primarily malnutrition , lack of vitamins and iron, in addition to the harsh conditions of displacement that women live in shelter tents near the destroyed areas.
"The environment, the terror, and the acute shortage of food are all factors that directly affect the health of the mother and the development of the fetus in the womb," he said.
"We observe symptoms such as severe emaciation, physical changes, weight loss, and the inability to tolerate pregnancy.
Al-Basayneh noted that the lack of regular medical follow-up, due to the crowded hospitals and the lack of food and supplements, has led to the deterioration of maternal health and the recurrence of deformities.
He advised women to "take preventive measures before pregnancy, such as taking supplements, staying away from bombing sites, and wearing masks to minimize the inhalation of toxic gases."
On January 28, 2025, Human Rights Watch said in a report published at the time that pregnant women in Gaza are at risk due to Israel's ongoing genocide. It added that "Israel imposes conditions that threaten pregnancy, childbirth and the lives of newborns in Gaza."
In its report, the human rights organization highlighted Israel's deliberate targeting of the health sector in a way that undermined the access of pregnant women and newborns to the necessary health care, without addressing the issue of fetal deformities.
In this context, the organization said that maternal health experts reported last July that the spontaneous abortion rate has reached 300 percent since October 7, 2023.
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