Skin diseases are rapidly spreading in Gaza’s refugee camps, while the United Nations has warned that rising temperatures could trigger a new health crisis.
According to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, recent months have seen a threefold increase in skin disease cases in Gaza. Scabies, chickenpox, and other diseases are spreading rapidly, particularly among children, mainly due to severe overcrowding, poor sanitation, and hot weather.
According to Arab media, at least 150,000 people in Gaza suffered from skin diseases during 2024, while shortages of medical supplies and the Israeli blockade are further worsening the situation.
Refugee Fawzi Al-Najjar told Al Jazeera that millions of people are being forced to live in extremely poor conditions, while garbage, rats, bedbugs, fleas, and stray animals in the camps are contributing to the spread of diseases.
United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric revealed that in March, the number of people affected by skin diseases in UN run camps rose to nearly 10,000, compared to 3,000 in January.
According to Arab media, medical staff in Khan Younis are spraying disinfectants in thousands of tents, however due to severe shortages of medicines and sprays, it is not possible to reach all camps.
