Gaza is a statistical oddity. Whereas its fertility rates are similar to those of desperately poor countries like Somalia, nutrition and health care are much better. This is largely because most Gazans receive prenatal and primary care for their children from the many nongovernmental organizations based there, especially in the United Nations-run refugee camps like Jabalya.
As a result, a much higher proportion of Gazan babies survive and live a long life. In Somalia, 122 of every 1,000 infants die before they reach their first birthday. In Gaza, that number is only 21. Somalians live only until their mid- to late 40’s. Gazans’ average life expectancy is 73.
“Some research has shown in Palestinian populations, and others under threat, that they see having children as a way of resistance, in a way,” Asi said. “That’s kind of seen as a continuation of a bloodline that’s been under threat in various ways for 100 years.”
During the uprising, or intifada, against Israel that began in the 1980’s, Yasir Arafat, the Palestinian leader, personally urged women to give birth for the cause, to produce male fighters to replace those who had been ‘‘martyred.’’
‘‘Politically speaking, our leadership believes very strongly that the demographic route is the way to settle the score with the Israelis,’’ said Dr. Hassan Abu Libdeh, director of the Palestinian Bureau of Statistics.