Rat infestations are sweeping through Gaza’s displacement camps, forcing families to confront aggressive rodents amid a complete breakdown of basic sanitation. Accumulating trash and overflowing sewage have created ideal breeding grounds for vermin, leading to an increase in reported attacks on civilians.
Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum reports that the conditions in these temporary shelters have deteriorated rapidly. Families living in makeshift tents now face a dual threat: the lack of clean living spaces and the physical danger posed by rats roaming their living areas.
A collapsing sanitation system
The crisis stems from the total collapse of waste management systems across the territory. With garbage collection services halted and sewage pipes damaged or destroyed, waste has piled up near sleeping quarters. This environment provides food and shelter for rodents, which are now encroaching directly into tents.
Public health experts warn that the presence of these pests could lead to the rapid spread of infectious diseases. Rodents act as vectors for various zoonotic illnesses, which thrive in environments where hygiene is impossible to maintain.
Displaced residents describe a nightly struggle to protect their children from bites and contamination. The lack of medical supplies means that even minor wounds sustained from these encounters carry a high risk of infection.
Local aid workers state that the situation is no longer sustainable. Without an immediate restoration of basic waste disposal and pest control measures, the threat of an outbreak remains imminent. The current conditions are pushing an already vulnerable population to a breaking point, as families struggle to find safety from both the environment and the pests infesting their shelters.
