Between the continuous rocket fire and the Israeli campaign in the Gaza Strip, the rate of premature births spiked significantly among both Palestinian and Israeli mothers in past weeks.
The Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot saw a 28 percent increase in early births, according to Army Radio, while in Beersheba the Soroka Medical Center registered a 20% rise.
The Assaf HaRofeh Medical Center and the Petah Tikva Rabin Medical Center saw a 5% and 5%-10% increase respectively. In Ashkelon, a spike was recorded as well, and five sets of twins were born early.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, a similar pattern was observed. At the Shifa hospital, doctors say they’ve seen a 15% to 20% jump in premature births, according to The Daily Beast.
The spike is thought to be related to high levels of stress experienced by pregnant mothers due to the Gaza fighting and constant rocket fire on Israeli cities over the past month, hospital officials said.
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