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Conflict, rockets, and birth outcomes: evidence from Israel's Operation Protective Edge

Author

Listed:
  • Shirlee LICHTMAN-SADOT

    (Department of Economics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev)

  • Neta BNEHSHALOM-TIROSH

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center)

  • Eyal SHEINER

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center)

Abstract

In summer 2014, southern Israel experienced rocket attacks from the Hamas-ruled Gaza strip on a nearly daily basis for over 50 consecutive days. We exploit this unexpected escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and variation across localities in Israel in the amount of sirens that warned of rocket attacks to measure the effect of conflict intensity on birth weight and gestation length among pregnant women during this period. In addition to the common notion that conflict intensity induces stress and anxiety, we show changes in prenatal care in response to sirens. This maternal behavioral response varies based on socioeconomic status, which ultimately differentially affected birth outcomes. While mothers ranked high socioeconomically likely had the resources to increase their prenatal care and shield their fetuses from the negative shock of sirens, mothers ranked low socioeconomically did not have these resources and even decreased prenatal care.

Suggested Citation

  • Shirlee LICHTMAN-SADOT & Neta BNEHSHALOM-TIROSH & Eyal SHEINER, 2025. "Conflict, rockets, and birth outcomes: evidence from Israel's Operation Protective Edge," JODE - Journal of Demographic Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 91(1), pages 119-145, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:ctl:louvde:v:91:y:2025:i:1:p:119-145
    DOI: 10.1017/dem.2022.18
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    Keywords

    Birth Outcomes; Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Prenatal care; Prenatal stress;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C53 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Forecasting and Prediction Models; Simulation Methods
    • G22 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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