WHO warns more people to die from disease than from bombardment in Gaza

While Gazans face relentless assault by Israeli forces, they are now confronting the threat of disease amid widespread displacements, the collapse of sanitation infrastructure, and a lack of access to hygienic facilities.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised alarm over the worsening health system in the Gaza Strip, expressing concern that more lives may be lost to disease than to the bombings.

Of the 15,000 casualties confirmed by Gaza health authorities, approximately 40% are children who fell victim to Israel's aerial assaults on Gaza.

The WHO spokesperson reiterated concerns about an uptick in infectious diseases, specifically highlighting diarrheal diseases. 

Referring to a UN report on the living conditions of displaced residents in northern Gaza, she mentioned, "There are no medicines, vaccination activities, access to safe water, hygiene, or food. A notable number of diarrhea cases among infants have been observed."

On November 8, WHO issued a warning, stating, "Fuel shortages have led to the closure of desalination plants, significantly increasing the risk of bacterial infections such as diarrhea due to the consumption of contaminated water. Fuel shortages have also disrupted solid waste collection, creating conditions conducive to the rapid spread of insects and rodents that can carry and transmit diseases."

To fulfill fundamental needs such as drinking, cooking, and cleaning, global health organisations, including WHO, recommend a minimum daily intake of 15 liters (approximately 4 gallons) of clean water.

The two main sources of drinking water in Gaza Strip, a desalination plant and a water connection from Israel, have been ground to a halt for “several weeks.”

The fear lingers that many more lives could be lost, buried beneath the rubble of the devastated structures.

According to a report by Aljazeera, “For Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, finding drinkable water has become close to impossible.”

Infectious ailments like diarrhea and chickenpox are on the rise in Gaza, with medical organisations sounding alarms about the potential cholera outbreaks and epidemics.