Health risks soaring in Gaza as rainy season nears: WHO

The World Health Organization warned that Gaza's approaching rainy season threatens to deepen an already severe public health crisis, as most residents live in overcrowded tent camps surrounded by rubble and overflowing sewage. WHO representative Reinhilde Van de Weerdt said water quality has deteriorated sharply, with microbiological contamination in tested samples rising from under 6% in January to more than 18% in August.

Acute watery diarrhea cases nearly doubled between March and August, climbing from about 27,000 to over 48,000, despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire that took effect in October 2025. Israel continues to restrict entry of goods including medical equipment and fuel, and nearly 90% of Gaza's water and sanitation infrastructure has reportedly been destroyed or damaged.

Van de Weerdt cautioned that flooding could push sewage and contaminated water directly into tents where people sleep and cook, while standing water breeds mosquitoes and mold. She called for expedited entry of humanitarian supplies and greater laboratory capacity to track outbreaks before they spiral further.

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