Miscarriages triple among pregnant women in Gaza amid healthcare crisis

Gaza's Health Ministry reports a 3.3-fold increase in miscarriages during the first half of 2026, recording 3,958 cases. Pregnant women face severe malnutrition, anemia, and extreme heat in displacement camps. The crisis is compounded by the collapse of healthcare infrastructure, with only 44% of health service points functioning by mid-July 2026. Doctors like Shereen Al-Alawi warn that aid restrictions and hospital damage force women to give birth in unsafe conditions, risking maternal and neonatal lives.

Tripling of miscarriages

• ▪Gaza's Health Ministry data indicates that 73.6% of miscarriages in the first half of 2026 occurred before the 13th week of pregnancy, while 26.4% occurred between weeks 13 and 24.
• ▪Gaza's Health Ministry data shows that April 2026 recorded the highest monthly miscarriage rate at 377.25 cases per 1,000 live births, while June 2026 saw the highest total number with 790 miscarriages.
• ▪The miscarriage rate in Gaza during the first half of 2026 increased 3.3-fold compared to the rate of 64 cases per 1,000 live births in the second half of 2025.
• ▪Gaza's Health Ministry recorded 3,958 miscarriages in the first half of 2026, representing a rate of 208.5 cases per 1,000 live births.

War-related pregnancy complications

• ▪Dr. Shereen Al-Alawi, a gynecologist at Nasser Medical Complex, stated that prenatal exposure to war debris containing heavy metals from explosives may contribute to rising rates of miscarriages and birth defects in Gaza.
• ▪Dr. Rewaa Nasser, a gynecologist at Al-Helou International Hospital, stated that malnutrition, severe anemia, and psychological stress have significantly increased among pregnant women in Gaza due to the conflict.
• ▪Gaza's Health Ministry registered that 57.1% of pregnant women in Gaza in 2025 suffered from anemia, compared to 42.9% who did not.

Healthcare facility destruction

• ▪The World Health Organization reported that none of Gaza's hospitals are operating at full capacity and more than half of essential medicines are out of stock.
• ▪In early August 2026, the Israeli army destroyed two medicine warehouses and damaged two others belonging to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.
• ▪As of March 2026, only 15% of health facilities in Gaza were capable of providing emergency obstetric and neonatal care.
• ▪Pregnant women in Gaza face extreme heat, lack of running water, and lack of electricity while living in plastic tents.

Displacement camp living conditions

• ▪Strict Israeli restrictions on border crossings have limited international food, relief, and medical aid entering Gaza despite a ceasefire agreement in effect since October 2025.
• ▪Dr. Shereen Al-Alawi of Nasser Medical Complex stated that pregnant women face severe risks of hemorrhages and infections when unable to reach hospitals in time due to road damage and insecurity.

Maternal mortality risks

• ▪A United Nations Human Rights Council commission of inquiry report from March 2025 found that Israeli authorities imposed living conditions intended to prevent births among Palestinians.
• ▪According to United Nations data, at least 15 women in Gaza give birth outside of health facilities each week without medical support or pain relief.

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