Umm Muhammad al-Masri, a Palestinian refugee and mother of five, shelters in the Al-Aqsa University building, and her 10-month-old baby, Ramadan al-Masri, suffers a bacterial skin infection transmitted through blood, in Gaza on August 12, 2025. [Abed Rahim Khatib – Anadolu Agency]
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees warned on Thursday of a severe deterioration in public health conditions in the Gaza Strip, announcing that more than 125,000 cases of skin infections linked to rodents and parasites had been recorded during the first five months of 2026.
According to UNRWA, the destruction caused by the war has led to a major increase in rodents and parasites, while the collapse of water and sanitation infrastructure has accelerated the spread of disease.
The agency stated on X that “rodents and parasites are on the rise” and warned that the risk of disease outbreaks continues to increase.
UNRWA said its medical teams are currently treating around 400 cases daily but stressed they could do far more if adequate medicines and medical supplies were available.
