Gaza, MINA – The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reported on Saturday that at least 10 people in the Gaza Strip have died in the past 24 hours due to heavy rainfall. Thousands of displaced Palestinian families are sheltering in tents with minimal protection from the severe winter weather.
Tedros warned via social media that exposure, combined with inadequate water, sanitation, and overcrowded conditions, is likely to cause a sharp increase in acute respiratory infections, influenza, hepatitis, and diarrheal diseases.
He further stated that the WHO continues to encounter obstacles in delivering essential laboratory reagents and diagnostic equipment to Gaza, as many supplies are denied entry after being classified as dual-use items. Tedros called for the urgent entry of these critical materials to enable timely detection, response, and treatment of potential disease outbreaks in the enclave.
The report also notes that Israeli attacks in Gaza since October 2023 have resulted in over 70,300 deaths and more than 171,000 injuries, with violence persisting despite a truce. Since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, Israeli military actions have killed at least 386 Palestinians and injured 1,018 others.[]
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