Gaza: Munir Al-Barsh, Director-General of Gaza's Ministry of Health, has revealed that monthly births have plummeted by 40 percent over the past year, dropping from 26,000 to just 17,000, disclosing that fertility and IVF centers have been directly targeted by Israeli forces.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Al-Barsh further highlighted that widespread maternal malnutrition, compounded by systematic restrictions on essential food supplements and medications, has led to a sharp increase in low-birth-weight infants, creating a public health emergency.

He also cited the bombing of Al-Basma Center as an example, adding that the attack caused nitrogen tanks to catch fire, destroying approximately 4,000 fertilized embryos that were ready for transfer.

These figures indicate a premeditated plan to suppress Palestinian population growth, Al-Barsh said. He noted that Israeli research institutions, including the Herzliya Conference, had previously warned of demographic threats posed by Palestinians.

The health chief emphasized that the ongoing conflict has provided a strategic opportunity for these measures, which he described as aimed at undermining the reproductive health of women and weakening the demographic structure of Gaza.

Gaza's Health Ministry also reported alarming declines in birth rates and a surge in miscarriages, raising concerns of a deliberate demographic crisis in the region.