Gaza Children Face Arrests, Diseases

The Israeli occupation forces have been accused of violating human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories. There have been ongoing arrest campaigns against children and youth, amid concerns about the lack of services, destruction of infrastructure, collapse of the health sector, and repeated eviction orders that force displaced people to move to unsafe areas.

In Deir al-Balah, a resident expressed concerns about the safety of children and the lack of protection from diseases due to the constant bombardment and insecurity. People in the area are living in overcrowded, unsanitary makeshift camps, with damaged or destroyed hospitals and a lack of access to medicines.

The World Health Organization reports that conditions in Gaza have led to the spread of diseases such as hepatitis, pneumonia, dysentery, scabies, lice, and rashes. The number of deaths caused by illness is unclear, and there are concerns about the first case of type 2 polio in Gaza in 25 years. The disease can cause paralysis and death, particularly in infants and young children.

Although polio was eradicated from Gaza in 1999, a strain was detected in routine wastewater testing in July. It is believed to have originated from an oral polio vaccine and poses a new threat to the population.