In the war-ravaged Gaza region, thousands of people are suffering from a rapid increase in infectious diseases. According to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 120,000 cases of Hepatitis, as well as bloody diarrhea and jaundice, have been reported.
The ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in Gaza, combined with the limited access to healthcare and clean water, has placed a severe strain on the health of the Palestinian people. For refugees living in Gaza, access to healthcare is especially difficult and the risk of disease only multiplies.
Widespread displacement, overcrowding, and lack of sanitation in refugee camps also contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. On top of this, basic health needs such as immunizations, which are essential to ensuring public health, are often neglected due to lack of access to healthcare services.
The WHO report states that most of the cases of Hepatitis, jaundice, and bloody diarrhea are a result of poor water quality. The only source of drinking water in Gaza is from the Mediterranean Sea, which is highly polluted due to heavy human and industrial waste being dumped into it by Israeli authorities, leading to a spike in water-borne illnesses.
The health of the 1.7 million Palestinians in Gaza is in jeopardy and immediate action is needed. The WHO has called upon Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza and allow access to healthcare facilities and clean water. This would be a first step towards stabilizing the situation and improving the public health of the people of Gaza.
The scale of this crisis is unprecedented and it is clear that drastic action is needed to protect the lives and health of the people living in Gaza. Without access to even basic healthcare, the health of the people of Gaza is being put at risk every day, and it is essential that this situation is brought to an end.