UNRWA warns of health risks as insects, rodents spread in Gaza

Palestinian woman from the Massoud family, lives in makeshift tents set up on the rubble of their houses destroyed during the Israeli army’s attacks on the Jabalia district of Gaza city, cooks the bread on wood fire among the rubble of their homes in Gaza City, Gaza on September 16, 2024 [Mahmoud İssa – Anadolu Agency]

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) issued a warning yesterday about the spread of rodents and insects in the Gaza Strip posing an increasing health risk amid worsening conditions.

In an official statement on X, UNRWA highlighted the escalating health crisis in Gaza, noting that the spread of pests is contributing to the rise of disease, endangering the population’s well-being.

It comes after the United Nations announced the completion of the first phase of the polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip. However, it warned that the risk of other diseases remains high due to the unsanitary conditions.

Rubbish has been piling up across Gaza after Israel seized control of the territory’s two main landfills, east of the cities of Khan Yunis and Gaza City.

“Sanitary conditions in Gaza are worsening by the day. Insects and rodents can spread diseases, threatening people’s health and well-being,” UNRWA wrote on X.

“UNRWA teams are working to support displaced families in shelters, with the aim of preventing these pests from invading the crowded spaces in which they live,” the statement added.

Sanitary conditions in #Gaza are worsening by the day. Insects and rodents can spread diseases, threatening people’s health and well being.@UNRWA teams are working to help displaced families in shelters stop them from invading people’s already crammed living spaces. pic.twitter.com/ahcGcZABUz

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) September 16, 2024

Despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza since October last year.

Over 41,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed and over 95,550 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel faces accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

READ: ‘500 casualties in 25 minutes’: Gazan doctor recounts horrors of Israel war

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