Gaza Baby Delivered Alive from Mother Killed in Israeli Airstrike

On April 23, 2024, a baby girl was delivered by Caesarian section from her dying mother, Sabreen al-Sakani, after an Israeli air strike hit their family's house in Rafah, Gaza. The mother was fatally wounded in the head and abdomen, and she died 10 minutes after the C-section. The baby's father and sister were also declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

The newborn, weighing less than 2 kilograms, was the only survivor from the family and was transferred to the Emirati hospital's paediatrics unit, where she was placed in an incubator and treated with oxygen and antibiotics. "The fact that the baby was born alive despite the circumstances is a great feat," hospital officials noted, adding that when a pregnant woman struggles to breathe, the fetus can lack oxygen and its development can be hindered.

The baby's uncle, Rami al-Sheikh, will become her caretaker upon her release from the hospital. He named her 'Sabreen al-Ruh' as her father had wanted to name her Ruh, which means 'soul' in Arabic.

Why this matters: The incident underscores the devastating impact of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas on civilians in Gaza. According to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 people, mostly women and children.

The attack on the Sakani family home killed at least 19 people, Gaza's health ministry reported. The UN Human Rights Chief condemned the incident, calling it "beyond warfare" and stating that the world is witnessing "genocide happening in real time" in Gaza. As the war rages on, the birth of baby Sabreen al-Ruh stands as a symbol of hope amidst the tragedy, her survival described as a "miracle" given the difficult circumstances.

Key Takeaways

• Baby girl born via C-section from dying mother in Gaza airstrike
• Newborn was only survivor, transferred to hospital and placed in incubator
• Attack killed at least 19, including baby's father and sister
• Incident highlights devastating impact of Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians
• Baby's survival described as a "miracle" amidst the tragedy