Heavy rains kill at least 10 in Gaza as WHO warns of health crisis

At least 10 people have died in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours due to heavy rainfall, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said, warning of escalating health risks as thousands of displaced Palestinians take shelter in tents.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the deaths were linked to severe weather conditions, with families exposed to cold, flooding and inadequate shelter amid the winter season.

In a statement on social media on Saturday, Tedros cautioned that overcrowding, poor water and sanitation facilities, and prolonged exposure are likely to trigger a surge in acute respiratory infections, including influenza, as well as hepatitis and diarrhoeal diseases.

He also said the WHO continues to face challenges delivering laboratory reagents and diagnostic equipment into Gaza, noting that several critical supplies have been denied entry after being classified as dual-use items.

Tedros stressed that the urgent entry of these essential materials is crucial for the timely detection, response and treatment of disease outbreaks in the besieged enclave.

According to health authorities, more than 70,300 people—mostly women and children—have been killed and over 171,000 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 2023, despite the existence of a truce.

The Israeli military has also been accused of repeatedly violating the ceasefire, with at least 386 Palestinians reportedly killed and 1,018 injured since the agreement took effect on October 10.