In Gaza, motherhood isn’t something to be taken lightly. Rather, it is a matter of life and death for many mothers and their children in the embattled Palestinian territory.
From the air, the terrain is largely peaceful and peaceful. But don’t be deceived. Behind the scenes of the beauty that abides, a humanitarian crisis is quietly unfolding — one where motherhood comes with a deadly price.
The lone Palestinian territory, nestled between Israel and Egypt, has long been wracked by war. Since its being indefinitely occupied by the Israel Defense Forces in 2007, Gazan mothers have been subjected to daily traumas, brutality, displacement and hardship. For years, various international organizations have called for a peaceful end to the ongoing violence, with little result. The beleaguered population, which primarily consists of women and children, is now facing an even more hazardous level of suffering.
According to a recent report, the Israeli-imposed blockade on the region is exacerbating an already alarming shortage of medical supplies, electricity, water, and other basic necessities. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the prospects of securing vital healthcare for pregnant women and their infants has grown dangerously slim.
Due to the lack of basic health care services, the infant mortality rate for the region is one of the highest in the world — a fact that is indicative of the levels of deprivation women and their newborns are facing. This, combined with the prevalence of ‘targeted’ killings, enforced disappearances and the restrictions that prevent access to care have created an untenable situation for Gazan mothers-to-be.
Gazan mothers do not have the luxury of choosing the place or care provider they feel comfortable delivering their baby in. As few births are attended by medical personnel, mothers face an increased risk of developing dangerous complications from childbirth. Adding to this, the majority of the Gaza’s outdated hospitals lack the necessary equipment to ensure a safe delivery. What’s worse, is the fact that emergency travel to neighboring countries for specialized care can sometimes be hindered by the Israeli Defense Forces.
For the majority of Gazan women, being a mother is a matter of life and death. With each passing day, it becomes increasingly difficult to ensure a safe and healthy environment for mothers and their children, leaving them more vulnerable to the sweeping traumas of the region. In a place where motherhood and mortality are intertwined, it’s hard to see any light on the horizon.