The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning over a devastating public health crisis unfolding in Gaza, where a surge in cases of acute flaccid paralysis is being directly linked to the collapse of clean water and sanitation systems.
A alarming spike in cases of the debilitating neurological condition has been recorded, particularly among young children. Health officials attribute the outbreak to people being forced to consume highly contaminated water as a result of the ongoing siege and bombardment.
A Catastrophic Collapse of Basic Services
The WHO's statement highlights that the lack of fuel and extensive damage to infrastructure has crippled sewage pumps and desalination plants. With piped water supplies dry for months, families are relying on unsafe sources, leading to widespread diarrhoea and water-borne diseases.
"The situation is apocalyptic," a WHO representative stated, noting that the population is facing severe dehydration and consuming water unfit for human use, creating a perfect storm for disease.
International Condemnation and Warnings
United Nations experts have condemned the Israeli strikes on critical water infrastructure as a form of collective punishment. They warn that the deliberate denial of essential resources is a clear violation of international law and is pushing the population to the brink of a major epidemic.
The lack of medical supplies and functional hospitals means that treating complex conditions like paralysis is nearly impossible, exacerbating the long-term human toll of the conflict.
A Race Against Time
Humanitarian agencies are urgently appealing for safe access to deliver fuel and repair water systems. They warn that without immediate intervention to provide clean water and restore sanitation, the outbreak of deadly diseases will accelerate, claiming countless more lives.
