UNRWA Alerts to Health Risks from Rodents and Insects in Gaza Amid Escalating Crisis

LONDON – The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has issued a grave warning about the spread of rodents and insects in the Gaza Strip, highlighting a significant threat to public health amid worsening conditions. In a statement on its official website, UNRWA reported that the health situation in Gaza is deteriorating daily, with pests contributing to the spread of diseases that jeopardize the well-being of the population.

UNRWA emphasized that its teams are actively working to assist displaced families residing in shelters, aiming to prevent the infestation of these pests in the already overcrowded living spaces. The agency’s efforts are focused on mitigating the health risks posed by the increasing presence of insects and rodents, which exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Since the onset of Zionist military actions in Gaza, Palestinians have faced severe displacement, with the Zionist army evacuating residential areas in preparation for bombings and incursions. Out of a total population of 2.3 million, approximately 2 million Palestinians have been displaced, seeking refuge in schools, relatives’ homes, or makeshift shelters such as tents and abandoned sites. The lack of access to water, food, and sanitary conditions, combined with the spread of diseases, has compounded the dire humanitarian situation.