The number of premature births has risen by almost a third in Israeli-besieged Gaza over the past month as mothers suffer growing stress and trauma, British charity Oxfam has said, Reuters reports.

Juzoor, an Oxfam partner organisation that is supporting hundreds of pregnant women in Gaza, said the number of premature births had risen by 25-30 per cent in the last month, attributing the rise to difficulties faced by mothers who have had to flee their homes due to bombardment and have suffered stress and trauma.

Premature babies are more susceptible to illness and Juzoor said that at least one newborn had died in each of its 13 shelters for displaced people in north Gaza over the past month.

Even before the current conflict, Gaza had a high infant mortality rate, with newborn deaths representing 68pc of the total, according to the World Health Organisation.

Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfam’s Middle East Regional Director, said some displaced mothers have had to give birth in crowded classrooms, without medical support or basic hygiene. “I don’t think there is anyone anywhere in the world that would disagree that is simply inhumane,” she said.