Rats and parasites are swiftly proliferating in the overcrowded tent camps housing displaced Palestinians in Gaza, prompting significant public health alarms. Families in Khan Younis and northern Gaza have reported incidents of children being bitten during sleep, while hospitals have issued warnings regarding a rise in rodent-related illnesses. The World Health Organization has documented approximately 17,000 cases of rodent and ectoparasitic infections in Gaza this year. Over 2 million individuals remain displaced, many residing close to accumulating waste and malfunctioning sewage systems. Aid organizations and health authorities caution that the deteriorating sanitation situation could lead to further disease outbreaks as summer approaches.
