WHO warns floods and overcrowding are worsening respiratory illness in Gaza

The World Health Organization has warned that respiratory illnesses in Gaza are rising sharply after heavy rains flooded tens of thousands of tents sheltering displaced Palestinians. The agency said the situation is likely to worsen as colder weather sets in and overcrowded living conditions continue. It said the combination of flooding, poor ventilation and severe crowding is increasing pressure on already stretched health services.

Dr Reinhilde Van De Weerdt, the WHO representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said acute respiratory infections are 33,000 cases higher than at the same time last year. She said respiratory infections now account for 11% of all consultations. Speaking from Jerusalem, she said the recent rain had already shown what the coming months could bring, adding that winter had not yet fully arrived.

The WHO said nearly one million displaced people in Gaza are living in flood-exposed areas, including 400,000 in locations considered at extremely high risk. It said standing water increases the risk of contaminated water, while damp conditions encourage mould and bacteria that can drive respiratory infections, especially among young children. The agency also said mosquitoes and pests are more likely to breed in stagnant water, adding to public health concerns.

The warning comes as Gaza's population is being squeezed into an ever-smaller area under the current ceasefire-related control lines. Van De Weerdt said people are living in more crowded conditions, making the spread of viruses more likely. The WHO said the Israeli military's advance along the so-called yellow line has worsened the crunch, although the military and the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The health warning also highlights the wider strain on Gaza's humanitarian system after months of displacement and damage to basic services. The WHO said most medicines are still getting into Gaza, but it is having difficulty bringing in laboratory supplies needed to diagnose patients before treatment. Last week, the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories said it had stepped up efforts to improve sanitary conditions before the heavy rain, in coordination with international organisations.

What remains unclear is how quickly conditions will deteriorate as winter deepens and whether aid and medical supplies can reach the areas most at risk. The WHO said it expects cold weather, flooding, overcrowded shelters and poor ventilation to push infection numbers higher. It said laboratory equipment is urgently needed to help prevent outbreaks and improve diagnosis.

The agency's warning suggests the public health impact of displacement in Gaza may intensify further in the weeks ahead.

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