Human Rights Watch Highlights Gaza's Pregnant Women Crisis

January 29, 2025: Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about the worsening humanitarian crisis for pregnant women in Gaza, where the ongoing conflict has severely impacted access to medical care, nutrition, and essential supplies. With hospitals operating at reduced capacity and medical supplies running critically low, thousands of women face life-threatening conditions during pregnancy and childbirth.

According to humanitarian organizations, more than 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza are struggling to access prenatal and postnatal care. Many hospitals and clinics have been damaged or overwhelmed, forcing expecting mothers to give birth in unsafe conditions without adequate medical assistance. Shortages of anesthesia, antibiotics, and neonatal care equipment further exacerbate the crisis.

Malnutrition among pregnant women is another growing concern. Limited food supplies and restricted humanitarian aid deliveries have led to rising cases of anemia and other pregnancy-related complications. Doctors warn that undernourished mothers are at higher risk of complications, including premature births and low birth weights, increasing infant mortality rates.

The psychological toll of war further compounds the crisis. Women experiencing pregnancy under constant bombardment and displacement are more susceptible to stress-related complications, including preterm labor and pregnancy loss. Mental health support remains nearly nonexistent due to the strain on Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure.
International organizations have called for immediate action to ensure the safe passage of medical aid and the protection of healthcare facilities. Humanitarian corridors are being proposed to allow expecting mothers to receive urgent medical care outside conflict zones. Meanwhile, efforts to secure emergency funding for maternal health services in Gaza are gaining momentum among global aid agencies.

With no resolution in sight, health professionals stress that urgent international intervention is necessary to prevent further maternal and infant deaths. The situation underscores the broader challenges of delivering healthcare in conflict zones, where civilian populations—especially women and children—bear the brunt of war’s devastation.