Seven months into her pregnancy, Yasmine Siam endures sleepless nights in a crowded Gaza tent camp, haunted by Israeli bombardments. Food is scarce; she hasn't had meat in over a month, feeling weak and losing weight. Doctors offer little help. One night, intense pain sent her on a terrifying journey to a distant hospital via donkey cart, only to be told to eat better despite the blockade.

Siam's plight reflects a grim reality for pregnant women in Gaza, where Israel's ongoing military campaign has made pregnancy and childbirth increasingly perilous. The situation worsened after March 2nd, when Israel cut off all essential supplies for over two million people. Basic necessities like meat, fresh produce, and clean water are almost impossible to find, forcing pregnant women into desperate conditions.

According to the UN Population Fund, a staggering 20 percent of the estimated 55,000 pregnant women in Gaza are malnourished, and half face high-risk pregnancies. Alarmingly, in February and March, at least 20 percent of newborns were premature or suffered from complications and malnutrition. Miscarriages have doubled at Nasser Hospital compared to the previous year, highlighting the escalating crisis.

Amidst the devastation, Siam's wartime marriage had brought a rare moment of joy. Displaced multiple times, she found love in a tent city. Their families cherished the impending arrival of their baby, a longed-for grandchild and niece. However, from the start, proper nutrition eluded Siam, and even after a brief ceasefire, basic sustenance remained a struggle, with her husband often returning empty-handed after long searches for food.

In Gaza's ruins, pregnancy is an immense challenge, compounded by unsanitary conditions, exposure to cold, and constant toxic stress. Functioning maternal health facilities are scarce and overwhelmed, hindering crucial screenings and leading to increased complications. Essential medicines and supplies for maternal and newborn care are running out, painting a dire picture for expectant mothers and their babies under the ongoing blockade.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2598712/middle-east