Gaza faces worsening medical waste and water crises amid mass displacement

In the Gaza Strip, the accumulation of medical waste is creating a severe health hazard for displaced families. Contaminated syringes, catheters and bandages are scattered among tents, leading to infections such as hepatitis, skin diseases and respiratory illnesses. The lack of proper containers forces staff to mix infectious and non‑infectious waste, while more than 20 waste‑transport vehicles have been destroyed and fuel shortages have halted waste‑treatment operations.

At the same time, destroyed water and sanitation infrastructure forces residents to rely on unsafe water for drinking and cleaning. The breakdown of pipelines and treatment facilities leaves the population without access to clean water, heightening the risk of water‑borne diseases.

Both crises are compounded by the near‑total collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system and ongoing restrictions that impede the delivery of spare parts, fuel and other essential supplies.