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
Marwa Kalloub’s darkest fears were realized when her eight-year-old daughter Mariam passed away after being hospitalized with flu-like symptoms. The mother had never imagined such a fate, believing basic care and the child’s natural defenses would suffice.
Gaza’s prolonged conflict has eroded its health infrastructure, leaving patients vulnerable to even minor ailments. With limited resources and a collapsed medical system, what began as a common illness became deadly for Mariam.
“Mariam had no prior health problems,” her aunt, Iman Kalloub, told Middle East Eye. “Before she died, she had a severe cough, nausea, and high fever. She stopped eating altogether.”
Kalloub explained that the virus spread rapidly in a population already weakened by two years of Israeli attacks. “So many people were sick that we expected her to recover slowly. We never thought it would end this way,” she added.
Recent weeks have seen a surge in infections linked to a virus whose identity remains unclear. Health officials cite restricted testing and shortages of supplies as barriers to understanding the outbreak, which continues to threaten residents.
Rantisi Hospital, once a key facility for treating pediatric conditions like kidney disease and cancer, now focuses on respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments. After repeated Israeli strikes, its capacity to handle complex cases has diminished significantly.
Despite repairs by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the hospital remains overcrowded. Mariam’s mother recounted waiting hours for a pediatrician, highlighting the strain on Gaza’s medical staff. “Doctors found her lungs in critical condition. Treatment was nearly impossible,” Kalloub said.
“Two years of war didn’t kill her. A small virus did,” the mother lamented. The family had hoped for recovery after the October ceasefire, sending Mariam back to school. Yet, the child’s death from a preventable illness stunned them.
Health Crisis Deepens Amid Ongoing Blockade
Medical experts warn of a growing crisis as the virus moves swiftly through communities. “There’s hardly a household without someone infected,” said Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Medical Complex. He suggested the pathogen might be influenza, a variant, or even Covid-19.
Emergency admissions have tripled, with many suffering from respiratory infections, fever, and severe weight loss. Abu Salmiya noted that compromised immune systems, caused by famine and malnutrition, are worsening outcomes. “Dialysis, cancer, and heart patients are particularly at risk,” he said.
A November 2025 report by the World Health Organization’s Health Cluster revealed dire shortages. Only 45% of essential medicines were available, and 29% of basic supplies were in stock. “Diagnosis and treatment are nearly impossible without lab equipment,” Abu Salmiya explained.
With 150 to 200 percent bed occupancy, overcrowded camps and contaminated water sources are exacerbating the spread. “The blockade has created a perfect storm for disease,” he said.
Despite the ceasefire, UN agencies reported that 77 percent of Gazans still face severe food shortages. This leaves many households unable to protect their members from emerging health threats.