In the midst of the increasing violence in Gaza, a grave health crisis is unfolding with an increase in casualties and injuries. The consequences go beyond the current clashing, as the region is also facing increased overpopulation and the disruption of vital services like water, sewage, and sanitation frameworks.
This unprecedented attack not only exacerbates the present issues but also fosters an atmosphere that accelerates the spread of infectious illnesses. The population’s lives are at a higher risk of illness and further destruction due to the complex interactions between conflict and weakened essential services, making intervention more urgent.
Fuel Shortage Leading to Health Crisis
One of the conflict’s most serious repercussions is the forced closure of desalination plants due to a fuel shortage, which significantly increases the risk of bacterial infections—particularly diarrhea—through the ingestion of contaminated water. In addition, a lack of fuel causes problems with the collection of solid waste, which creates an atmosphere that is favorable for the fast growth of disease-carrying insects and rodents. This dual impact highlights the pressing requirement for comprehensive intervention to reduce the population’s increasing health risks by eliminating the difficulties brought on by the conflict as well as the threat of disease transmission.
Health System Breakdown and Disease Control
There has been an alarming increase in diarrheal cases since mid-October, according to the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMRO) of the World Health Organization. More than half of the 33,551 cases that have been reported have involved children under the age of five. Given that the average number of cases of diarrhea in young children during 2021–2022 was approximately 2000, this sharp increase is concerning. Tens of thousands of people in the conflict-ridden region are also afflicted by other infectious diseases like chickenpox, scabies, rashes, and upper respiratory tract infections, which have all seen a sharp increase.
A shortage of medications for infectious diseases and disruptions to regular vaccination programs increase the likelihood of an accelerated spread of disease. Gaza’s health system is in danger of collapsing due to inadequate disease surveillance systems, which include early detection and response capacity.
Extreme Water Scarcity in Gaza
Gaza has long struggled with an increasingly dire water situation; currently, desalination and wastewater treatment plants have been severely damaged as a consequence of the war. The situation has worsened since Israel recently destroyed a public water tank and reservoir in Gaza, where 97 percent of the water is considered unsafe for human consumption in 2021. In the hopes of getting clean water, many residents are forced to stand in long lines and drink contaminated, salty water.
The 120 municipal water wells in Gaza are projected to run out of fuel by Thursday, according to an urgent warning from the UN Office on Humanitarian Affairs. The region’s water crisis worsens as relief convoys from Egypt are only able to supply 4% of the required water.
Crippling Health Infrastructure
Basic measures to prevent and control infections are becoming nearly impossible to carry out in medical centers due to damaged water and sanitation systems and running out of cleaning supplies. The risk of infections from trauma, surgery, and childbirth has become increasingly substantial in this erratic situation. People with weakened immune systems, especially those with cancer, are more susceptible to complex infections.
An additional risk is the lack of personal protective equipment, which puts healthcare workers at risk of contracting and spreading infections while delivering urgent care. Furthermore, hospital medical waste management issues increase the risk of infection and exposure to hazardous materials.
The ongoing war in Gaza necessitates immediate international attention and intervention to address the growing health emergency that is endangering thousands of lives in the region. The world leaders need to take decisive actions in order to prevent further death and destruction of the people of Palestine.
