Gaza is moving toward a deep health crisis. Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City has warned that unknown and serious diseases are spreading rapidly in the region, while the already devastated healthcare system is now on the verge of complete collapse.
According to Dr. Moataz Harara, head of the Emergency and Reception Department at Al-Shifa Hospital, more than 500 patients have been brought to the hospital every day for the past two weeks. Around 200 of them are suffering from serious illnesses. These patients are showing dangerous symptoms such as high fever, severe difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, diarrhea, persistent vomiting, coughing, and sharp chest pain.
Dr. Harara explained that some patients recover within two days, but the condition of patients with weak immunity or chronic illnesses is deteriorating rapidly, requiring hospitalization. In many cases, despite treatment, blood oxygen levels do not improve, forcing doctors to transfer patients to the ICU.
Most concerning is that the Ministry of Health is unable to identify the virus because there is no capacity for laboratory testing. The infection is neither COVID-19 nor seasonal flu, yet its symptoms are far more severe than common illnesses, and its cause remains unknown.
Dangerous diseases see an unusual rise
According to media reports, cases of rodent-borne diseases such as leptospirosis have also increased rapidly in Gaza. Previously, this disease was recorded only once every three years, but now two to three cases are being reported every two months.
At the same time, an extraordinary increase has been observed in cases of acute flaccid paralysis. In previous years, only a few cases were reported annually, whereas nearly 20 cases have been recorded in just the past month, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
Deadly conditions for respiratory patients
Dr. Ahmed Al-Rubai, head of the Pulmonology and Endoscopy Department at the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, has warned that the severe shortage of medicines and medical equipment has become a direct life-or-death issue for respiratory patients.
According to him, there has been a dramatic surge in cases of respiratory infections, severe influenza, and pneumonia. A large portion of Gaza’s population is now forced to live in tents or partially destroyed homes, which is weakening immune systems and allowing infections to spread rapidly.
Dr. Al-Rubai explained that toxic smoke released from burning wood or plastic for cooking inside tents is causing severe damage to the lungs. As a result, asthma and chronic respiratory diseases are becoming even more dangerous.
Shortage of medicines becoming a cause of death
Dr. Al-Rubai confirmed that the lack of essential medicines and delays in treatment have worsened the condition of many patients, and some have already died. Several patients have had to be admitted to intensive care due to complications.
He issued a clear warning that if life-saving medicines and equipment are not provided immediately, many more lives could be at risk. Children, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses are the most vulnerable in this crisis.
There has been a sharp rise in new and severe cases of asthma, while the severe shortage of inhalers, respiratory diagnostic equipment, and bronchoscopes is making the situation even more dire.
Toxic environment, growing risk of an epidemic
Amjad Al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO Network in Gaza, has warned that the current conditions are pushing Gaza toward a catastrophic environmental and health disaster.
He stated that there is a severe shortage of drinking water, around 900,000 metric tons of garbage are piled up in the streets, and the sewage system has been almost completely destroyed. The lack of cleaning and sanitation supplies has made conditions even more dangerous for the spread of disease.
Cold weather, heavy rainfall, and the blockage of tent and shelter supplies have further worsened the lives of displaced people. Medical organizations have warned that under these conditions, there is a serious risk of outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and polio.