Israeli blockade of essentials in Gaza causing surge in preventable diseases, warns UN

The United Nations humanitarian agency (OCHA) has issued a warning about escalating preventable diseases in Gaza, resulting in civilian deaths due to severe shortages of essential medicines and clean water.

According to OCHA’s recent statement, over the past two weeks, Gaza has witnessed more than 19,000 cases of acute watery diarrhoea, alongside 200 cases each of acute jaundice syndrome and bloody diarrhoea.

These outbreaks are directly attributed to the critical lack of clean water and sanitation facilities in Gaza, highlighting the urgent need for fuel, medical supplies, and water, sanitation, and hygiene items to prevent further deterioration of the public health system.

Israel’s blockade on fuel supplies into Gaza has led to the shutdown of desalination plants and severely impacted the water system in the region.

Amidst dire humanitarian conditions, ongoing Israeli military operations continue to cause significant casualties among Palestinians in Gaza, with numerous human rights organisations and UN experts condemning the situation as a genocide.

OCHA reported a recent strike in Deir el-Balah that resulted in more than 20 deaths and approximately 70 injuries. Medical sources confirmed that Israeli attacks on Thursday alone claimed the lives of at least 71 people across Gaza.

Despite a temporary easing allowing some aid to enter Gaza in May, restrictions imposed by Israel have severely limited the amount, with aid agencies describing the current levels as insufficient to meet the overwhelming needs of the population.

Efforts to deliver aid have been complicated by allegations and disputes over aid distribution methods, including claims of Hamas involvement in aid looting, countered by local leaders insisting on protecting aid from theft.