GENEVA

The UN sexual and reproductive health agency UNFPA on Wednesday raised urgent alarm over what it called a "profound humanitarian crisis" in Gaza, where pregnant women and newborns face life-threatening risks due to starvation, psychological trauma, and a collapsing health system.

In a statement, UNFPA cited data from the Gaza Health Ministry showing a dramatic deterioration in maternal and newborn health between January and June 2025.

Only 17,000 births were recorded in the first half of the year -- a sharp drop from 29,000 during the same period in 2022, marking a 41% decline in birth rate. Maternal deaths have surged to 220 -- more than 20 times the total reported in 2022. At least 20 newborns died within 24 hours of birth, according to the statement, and 33% of babies, 5,560, were born prematurely, underweight, or required intensive care.

"The scale of suffering for new mothers and their babies in Gaza is beyond comprehension," said Laila Baker, UNFPA regional director for the Arab states. "Every mother and child deserves the right to a safe birth and a healthy start to life. What we are witnessing is a systematic denial of these fundamental rights, pushing an entire generation to the brink."

According to the UNFPA, over 70% of essential medicines are out of stock and half of all medical equipment is damaged, reducing access to newborn care by 70%. Ambulance services and transport are scarce, leaving many pregnant women unable to reach hospitals.

Humanitarian aid, the agency said, remains blocked. "UNFPA alone has 170 trucks loaded with desperately needed supplies ... stranded at borders since early March 2025," it said.

The UNFPA urged Israel to allow "unimpeded, sustained and demilitarized humanitarian aid into Gaza without delay," warning that "every moment lost means more preventable loss of life."