A Dream Shattered: Gaza's Fertility Clinics Destroyed Amid Conflict

Noura, a Palestinian woman, recounts the heartbreak of losing her pregnancy and frozen embryos due to Israel's military operations. As fighting escalates, over 4,000 embryos, representing years of hopes for many families, have been destroyed, leaving women with little chance for future pregnancies.

Noura's dreams of motherhood were shattered in the chaos of conflict as Israel’s military offensive led to the destruction of Al-Basma Fertility Centre in Gaza, where her frozen embryos were stored. “My nerves are shattered,” says Noura, a 26-year-old woman who had finally experienced the joy of pregnancy in July 2023 after enduring years of IVF treatment. She and her husband, Mohamed, decided to secure additional embryos at the clinic, hoping to grow their family further. However, the situation took a tragic turn when Israel escalated its military campaign in response to a cross-border assault from Hamas on October 7, 2023.

The result has been catastrophic; reports indicate that over 54,000 individuals have been killed in Gaza during the recent conflict, with Sourcing essentials such as food and medical care becoming nearly impossible. Amidst this turmoil, Noura endured a severe hemorrhage seven months into her pregnancy. “We finally managed to transport her in a garbage truck,” Mohamed recounted, frustrated by the lack of available medical assistance. Tragically, one of their twins was stillborn, while the other succumbed hours later due to the lack of incubator facilities.

The loss of their babies was compounded by the destruction of their frozen embryos. Dr. Baha Ghalayini, director of the Al-Basma Fertility Centre, lamented the loss, stating that nearly 4,000 embryos and over 1,000 samples of sperm and eggs were lost when the facility was shelled in December. The clinic that provided hope to families facing infertility was obliterated in a matter of moments. “These are not just numbers, they’re people's dreams,” Dr. Ghalayini expressed, as he calculated the long-term implications for patients who may not have the opportunity or health to pursue IVF treatment again.

Noura’s experience is mirrored by countless others, including Sara Khudari, who faced similar devastation when her imminent embryo implantation was disrupted by the war. “I watched everything collapse,” she lamented. Muslim Lubbad, another patient, also faced miscarriage and the loss of her frozen embryos due to the unstable situation in Gaza. The absence of operational fertility clinics has left many in dire straits, depriving hopeful parents of their chance to conceive.

Though the Israel Defense Forces claim they operate under international law directives and take steps to minimize civilian harm, they have faced accusations from international observers and organizations like the UN claiming that these strikes contribute to a systematic elimination of reproductive capabilities among Palestinians.

In-depth evaluations reveal that all of Gaza's nine fertility clinics have been rendered inactive, creating a wave of despair among women and families who are now forced to confront the loss of hope and dreams for parenthood amid ongoing violence.