The ongoing conflict in Gaza has not only led to widespread destruction and displacement but has also significantly impacted reproductive health services in the region. This crisis underscores critical issues tied to health and human rights, drawing attention to the dire consequences faced by many families hoping to conceive. As the fighting continues, the lasting effects on women’s health and fertility come into sharper focus, highlighting the need for immediate action and intervention.
Gaza City – A heartbreaking reality unfolds in Gaza as families grapple with the loss of reproductive health services amid the conflict. Maysera al-Kafarna, a Palestinian woman, stands amidst blue baby overalls intended for her unborn child, her dreams of motherhood shattered by the war that has decimated the enclave’s healthcare system. The conflict not only endangers lives but also disrupts the essential services that support family planning and reproductive health, with devastating ramifications for many couples.
Al-Kafarna and her husband, after years of struggle, resorted to in-vitro fertilization (IVF), freezing their embryos in hopes of a brighter future. Unfortunately, their dreams were dashed when the fertility clinic they relied on was attacked, leading to the destruction of their viable embryos. “It was deeply painful. We felt like we had lost a part of ourselves,” al-Kafarna shared, conveying the anguish faced by many in similar circumstances.
Reports indicate that approximately nine out of ten fertility clinics in Gaza have been rendered inoperative due to the conflict. Additionally, the embryos that were not destroyed remain vulnerable, with limited resources such as fuel and liquid nitrogen exacerbating the precariousness of their survival, despite a current ceasefire.
Rights advocates assert that Israel’s assault on reproductive health services in the region aligns with acts classified as genocidal by international law, as defined by the United Nations. In a comprehensive investigation, the UN concluded that Israeli strikes targeting fertility clinics and maternal health facilities are part of a broader strategy to undermine the Palestinian population. The 1948 UN Convention explicitly identifies “imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group” as a genocidal act.
A UN Commission of Inquiry published in September 2024 identified Israel as having engaged in several acts indicative of genocidal intent during its military operations in Gaza, including systematic efforts to diminish birth rates. This investigation revealed that attacks have impacted roughly 545,000 women and girls of reproductive age in the region, severely disrupting their access to essential healthcare services.
Moreover, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported a staggering 41 percent reduction in births from early 2025 compared to the preceding three years, underscoring the chilling effect of the conflict on family formation and maternal health. The blockade, which limits medical supplies and essential nutrition, further exacerbates challenges related to reproductive health, leading to infertility, complications during pregnancy, and severe health risks for newborns.
Despite these harrowing circumstances, there remains a glimmer of hope. Fertility doctor Abdel Nasser al-Kalhout expressed aspirations to resume his vital work, reinforcing the commitment to restore health services as soon as conditions permit. “We hope that after the war ends, we can start again, restoring hope for people who lost their embryos and for the couples whose treatment began but couldn’t continue because of the war,” al-Kalhout indicated. The pursuit of healing and continuity in life amidst adversity remains a testament to resilience in Gaza.
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