By Edward Makuzva The State of Palestine has issued an urgent appeal to the international community, warning of a catastrophic collapse in reproductive healthcare in the Gaza Strip during the first half of 2025. According to official reports, women and infants are bearing the brunt of the humanitarian disaster triggered by the ongoing Israeli occupation, siege, and what Palestinian authorities describe as the systematic use of starvation as a weapon of war. Alarming statistics reflect the scale of the crisis. An estimated 11,000 pregnant women are facing severe malnutrition, with hospitals crippled by shortages of medical supplies, fuel, and staff. As a result, over 2,600 miscarriages have been recorded, alongside more than 1,556 premature births and 220 stillbirths. In addition, 67 congenital abnormalities have been identified, and at least 1,600 babies have been born underweight. In an interview with this publication, Palestinian ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Tamer Almassri highlighted that the situation in Gaza is beyond dire. Ambassador Almassri added that today, the majority of births occur in makeshift tents, damaged homes, or even on the streets—conditions that fall drastically short of basic healthcare standards, all amid relentless bombardment by Israeli occupation forces. “With neonatal intensive care units overwhelmed, over 2,500 newborns have required emergency care, many without access to adequate treatment. Due to the ongoing bombardment and destruction of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, most deliveries are now taking place in tents, ruined buildings, or even on the streets, far from any acceptable medical standard. “These are not just statistics. These are human lives—mothers giving birth in rubble, newborns struggling to survive without incubators, families starving. This is a humanitarian catastrophe”, stated Ambassador Almassri. The State of Palestine holds the Israeli occupation, all complicit states, and the international community fully responsible for every innocent life lost due to this systematic and criminal siege. The use of starvation as a weapon of war is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and a crime against humanity. While the state of Palestine commends the countries that are conducting aid air drops in Gaza, the Israeli occupation should be compelled to allow aid by road. While expressing appreciation for countries conducting humanitarian airdrops, Palestine insists that this is not enough. “Aid must be allowed to enter Gaza by road in sufficient quantities and without delay. This is the only way to prevent further loss of life”, said the ambassador. Since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023, at least 60,034 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, according to Palestinian sources. The toll continues to rise, with limited access to food, medicine, clean water, and shelter compounding the suffering of over two million residents in Gaza. Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities are calling for the immediate and unconditional reopening of all border crossings to allow critical aid, including baby formula and medical supplies, into the territory. They also urge the international community to support the re-entry of United Nations agencies to coordinate and scale up humanitarian operations on the ground. Ambassador Tamer Almassri appeals to the conscience of the world to recognize the gravity of this situation and respond with the urgency it deserves. The people of Gaza are not just statistics; they are human beings who deserve the right to life, dignity, and access to basic human necessities. The people of Palestine will continue to resist the occupation and demand justice until the siege is lifted, and the people of Gaza can live a life free from fear, starvation, and oppression. Post navigation 600 Million Africans Without Access to Electricity Government Registers 60 New Schools Nationwide to Boost Access to Education