Palestinian displaced by war in Gaza gives birth to quadruplets

Iman Al Masry is exhausted. Beside her, on a worn-out mattress, she has three of the quadruplets she gave birth to in the middle of the war between Hamas It is Israelafter a difficult journey from the north to the center of the Strip Link.

The mother and her newborns Yaser, Aunt It is Lynn were installed in a school classroom Deir el Balahin the center of the Strip, along with fifty other members of his family.

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Your fourth son, Mohammedis under observation in a hospital Nuseiratseven kilometers further north.

Iman al-Masri carries one of his quadruplets while taking refuge in a school in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, on December 27, 2023. (Photo by Mahmud HAMS/AFP) (MAHMUD HAMS/)

Like 1.9 million others displaced from Gaza, according to UN data, Iman Al Masry had to flee the fighting between the Israeli army and the Islamic movement Hamaswho rules Link.

This 29-year-old woman had to leave her house in a hurry. Beit Hanumin the north of the enclave, on the fifth day of the war that began in October 7ththinking he might be back soon.

“I only took with me some summer clothes for the children. I thought the war wouldn’t last more than a week or twoand that we would return to our home“, it says.

Fatigue

Six months pregnant, she walked with her three other young children on foot the five kilometers that separate her home from the Jabaliya camp, where she found a means of transport to continue to Deir el Balah.

“The distance tired me and affected my pregnancy. I went to the doctor and he told me that I had signs that I was going to have a premature birth.“, account.

Eight months into the pregnancy, doctors finally decided to perform a cesarean section. The quadruplets were born on December 18th, in the middle of the war triggered by Hamas’ surprise attack in the south of the country. Israel on October 7, which left around 1,140 people dead according to the latest official figures.

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In retaliation, Israel vowed “annihilate”to Hamas and unleashed an air and ground offensive that has so far left more than 21,100 people dead in Gaza, most of them children and women, according to the Islamic movement, and a desperate humanitarian situation.

In the turmoil of war, Iman Al Masry did not even have time to recover. And due to lack of space in hospitals, he had to leave, leaving behind his son Mohammad, who needs medical care.

“The fourth baby’s health status was unstable. It weighs just one kilogram; may not survive”, explains this young Palestinian. “The other three babies were born healthy, praise be God”.

Lack of diapers

Iman Al Masry has not been able to see her newborn, Mohammad, since his birth. “I’m worried about him, but the road is dangerous”To go visit him, he explains. To accompany him, she counts on a friend of her husband, who lives in Nuseirat.

The party planned to celebrate the birth of the babies was also interrupted by the fight. I thought about spraying them with rose water,”following our custom”. But since they were born ten days ago, “We can’t bathe them.” he says sadly.

Her nutritional deficiencies also do not allow her to breastfeed enough. And hygiene products are scarce.

Displaced Palestinians take refuge in a school in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on December 27, 2023. (Photo by Mahmud HAMS/AFP) (MAHMUD HAMS/)

“I use diapers with caution. At normal times I change every two hours, but the situation is difficult, so I only change in the morning and afternoon”.

Faced with the difficulties of the family, the husband, Ammar Al MasryHe confesses that he doesn’t really know what to do.

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“I feel helpless”, says this 33-year-old father, installed with his six children in the classroom, where bad smells emanate. “I fear for my children’s lives and I don’t know how to protect them.“, he admits.

You premature girl, Aunt, suffers from jaundice. “She needs to be breastfed for the illness to subside, and my wife needs to eat protein foods. But I can’t give them to you. My children need milk and diapers”, says this worker from Gaza.

Ammar Al Masry spends his days away from home trying to find “anything”to feed his family and avoiding looking into his children’s eyes, so as not to “feel guilty”.

Source: Elcomercio