They survived the bombs, but not the virus: Fatal illness spreads in Gaza
They survived the bombs, but not the virus: Fatal illness spreads in Gaza
Mariam, an eight-year-old girl, succumbed to a virus after being admitted to hospital with flu-like symptoms, a fate her mother, Marwa Kalloub, never thought possible. Even in her darkest fears, she hadn’t imagined her daughter would perish from something as ordinary as an infection.
Kalloub, 38, believed Mariam’s natural defenses and simple treatment would suffice. Yet, in Gaza, where Israel’s prolonged blockade has crippled the health system and eroded immunity, a seemingly minor illness turned deadly. “Mariam had no prior health issues,” her aunt, Iman Kalloub, shared with Middle East Eye.
“Before she died, Mariam suffered from intense coughing, nausea, and a high fever. She stopped eating entirely,” Kalloub added.
Despite the family’s hope during the October ceasefire, they had to send Mariam home to attend classes. The thought that a child who endured relentless bombing would fall victim to a virus was staggering. “Two years of war didn’t kill her. A small virus did,” Kalloub said.
Recent weeks have seen a mutated virus sweep through Gaza, targeting communities already battered by two years of conflict. Health officials remain uncertain about the exact strain, citing limited testing and a shortage of medical tools that left residents exposed to unpredictable outcomes.
Rantisi Hospital, once a hub for treating children with kidney disease and cancer, now focuses on respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments. Israeli attacks have repeatedly damaged its infrastructure, forcing it to repurpose its resources. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has worked to restore services, but overcrowding and shortages continue to strain capacity.
“Emergency admissions have surged by 200%, with most patients battling respiratory infections, high fevers, and severe weight loss,” said Mohammed Abu Salmiya, head of al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City.
Abu Salmiya noted that conditions like malnutrition and famine have left immune systems vulnerable. “Overcrowded refugee camps, leaking tents, and contaminated water are accelerating the spread,” he explained. “Children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases are particularly at risk.”
A November 2025 report by the World Health Organization’s Health Cluster revealed critical shortages: 55% of essential medicines and 71% of basic supplies were unavailable. “Diagnosis and treatment are nearly impossible without proper equipment,” Abu Salmiya said. “Bed occupancy has reached 150–200% due to the influx of patients.”
Though the ceasefire began on 10 October, UN agencies highlighted that 77% of Gaza’s population still faces acute food shortages. This leaves many families unable to protect their children from the virus’s relentless spread, as hospitals urge minimizing contact to curb infections.
