GENEVA: The United Nations (UN) on Tuesday warned fuel shortages and worsening sanitation in the Gaza Strip could spark diseases in the besieged enclave.
UNICEF, the UN children’s agency, said there was a serious threat of a disease outbreak in the Palestinian territory.
Its spokesman James Elder told media that without fuel there is possibility of the collapse of sanitation services. He termed the condition as a perfect storm for tragedy.
Chances of disease outbreak high in Gaza
The UN official said that due to lack of water, unacceptable shortage of latrines and restraints on hand-washing chances of a disease outbreak are high.
Elder went on to say according to reports 800,000 children in the enclave are displaced from their homes.
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He noted that if children’s access to water and sanitation in Gaza continues to be restricted the world will see a tragic surge in the number of children deaths.
Israel has started relentless air and ground assaults in Gaza after a cross-border strike by Hamas on October 7. Officials in Gaza said that the death toll from current Israeli attacks on Gaza has increased to over 14,100, including 3,920 women and 5,840 children.
The dire situation in Gaza is compounded by an Israeli blockade, severing the region from essential supplies such as fuel, electricity, and water. Aid deliveries to Gaza have reached to a minimum.
