WHO warns of infectious diseases in Gaza
As the number of deaths and injuries in Gaza continues to rise, overcrowding and disrupted health, water and sanitation services could lead to the rapid spread of infectious diseases, WHO fears. In a message on X, formerly Twitterthe organization says that some worrying trends are already visible.
Desalination plants have been closed due to the lack of fuel in the Gaza Strip. As a result, people drink contaminated water more often, which significantly increases the risk of bacterial infections such as diarrhea. According to the WHO, there have already been more than 33,000 cases of diarrhea, mainly in children under the age of five. In 2021 and 2022, the number of cases of diarrhea in that age group was around 2,000, according to the organization.
The lack of fuel also means that waste is rarely collected, creating an environment “conducive to the rapid and widespread spread of insects and rodents that can transmit disease.” Israel refuses to allow fuel to pass into the Gaza Strip for fear it will fall into the hands of Hamas.
Hamas leaders: ‘We have succeeded in putting the Palestinian cause back on the map’
In an interview with The New York Times Hamas leaders have explained why they carried out the October 7 surprise attack. “The intention was not to improve the situation in Gaza. This battle is intended to completely overturn the situation. We have managed to put the Palestinian issue back on the map, and now no one in the region experiences peace,” said Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayy.
The leaders further told the newspaper that the attack on Israel was only prepared by a small group of Hamas leaders. The details of the attack were not shared with regional allies such as Hezbollah, to increase the element of surprise.
The October 7 attack was ultimately bigger and deadlier than even its creators expected, Hamas leaders said. This was largely because Hamas fighters easily managed to break through Israel’s defenses, allowing them to overrun military bases and residential areas with little resistance. The number of hostages was also greater than expected.
Welcome to this blog
This blog will follow NRC the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip and related developments. Read our previous blog here.