Displaced people in Gaza are complaining about the spread of insects and rodents inside their dilapidated tents, particularly rats, which threaten their limited food supplies and raise concerns about the spread of infections and skin diseases.
The Gaza Strip is witnessing a widespread infestation of insects and rodents due to the accumulation of hundreds of thousands of tons of rubble from destroyed homes and solid waste. Damaged sewage networks and the appearance of stagnant pools of wastewater in the streets and within the numerous displacement camps have created an ideal breeding ground for flies, mosquitoes, and various types of rodents.
With the arrival of summer and rising temperatures, this recurring crisis has worsened, leading to a proliferation of disease-carrying insects in densely populated areas, especially within the displacement camps housing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in flimsy and dilapidated tents that offer no protection from harsh climatic and environmental conditions.
Displaced people report that insects and rodents have invaded their tents, particularly rats, which are rampant and threaten their limited food supplies. Children are especially vulnerable to insect bites, leading to the spread of skin diseases and infections. This is compounded by the risk of diseases linked to environmental pollution, exacerbated by the near-total collapse of the health sector. The areas surrounding many shelters and tent encampments have become pollution hotspots due to accumulated garbage. Waste collection and removal operations have been disrupted across the Gaza Strip due to the extensive damage to municipal vehicles and the shortage of fuel and equipment needed to maintain public sanitation and pest control services.
