Deaths in Gaza Not Just from Starvation, Common Diseases Also Taking Lives: Report

Nearly two years into the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Gaza Strip is devastated. Over 60,000 people have died, and countless others are injured. While some deaths are attributed to bombings and starvation, a new report reveals that common diseases are also proving deadly in Gaza. The Lancet’s report highlights the spread of diseases resistant to antibiotics, leading to prolonged illnesses, increased severity, rapid spread, and a heightened risk of death. This study, published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases medical journal, indicates a significant outbreak of multi-drug-resistant bacteria in Gaza since October 2023. These bacteria are resistant to numerous medications, making treatment difficult. The study analyzed over 1,300 samples from Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, primarily from individuals injured by airstrikes or explosions. Two-thirds of these samples contained bacteria resistant to multiple drugs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of worsening conditions and called for permission to maintain medical supply stocks. Over half of the medications in Gaza are depleted, hospitals are over capacity, and only a fraction of hospitals and clinics remain operational. The research team warns that the crisis of drug-resistant diseases will escalate unless the conflict and attacks on hospitals and water facilities cease.