Current sectionGaza NewsDr. Ahmed al-Farra, head of pediatrics at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, said water shortages and maternal stress may have caused the drop in births. Dr. James Smith, a British physician volunteering in Gaza, said another possible cause were heavy metals from Israeli bombsShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeNir Hasson11:42 PM • July 30 2026 IDTThe birth rate in the Gaza Strip has dropped as diseases among mothers spiked and miscarriages tripled since the beginning of the year, a UN report released last week found.Loading...Click the alert icon to follow topics:Israel-Gaza WarGaza aidWomen's rightsUnited NationsCommentsLoading...In the NewsIn the News: Live UpdatesWest BankNetanyahu-TrumpBen-GvirGaza Board of PeaceBarbara ButchIsrael ElectionsHaQuizHaaretz PodcastTop Court Overturns Police Ban on Protest for Release of Killed Man's BodyFar-right Rapper-influencer Steps Down From Police Role After Haaretz ProbeHaaretz CartoonProtesters Challenge Noise Fines They Say Were Issued While They Were DetainedAnomalous Footprints Made 1.43 Million Years Ago in Kenya Puzzle ArchaeologistsRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIAl Jazeera Reportedly Ends Contracts of Over 20 Gazan JournalistsNetanyahu Says Israel Has 'Special Forces' Ready if He's Arrested on NY VisitWith the West Bank Primed to Explode, Israel's Government Sees an OpportunityTwo Female Israeli Soldiers Die by Suicide as IDF Mental Health Crisis DeepensTwo Israelis, Four Palestinians Killed in Clash After Settlers Enter TownThese Young Israelis Are Calling for the Zionist Left to Confront the Occupation