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, a 38-year-old mother, never thought she’d see her daughter Mariam depart the hospital in a lifeless state following a flu-like illness.
She had assumed basic treatments and the child’s natural defenses would suffice. Yet in Gaza, where Israeli sanctions have eroded the immune system and healthcare infrastructure has crumbled, a simple illness became deadly.
“Mariam had no previous health issues,” her aunt, Iman Kalloub, shared with Middle East Eye.
“In the days before her death, Mariam suffered intense coughing, vomiting and a high temperature. She refused to eat at all,” Kalloub explained.
Residents now face an alarming surge in infections, with many anticipating prolonged recovery. But the outcome was far more severe than expected.
A mutated strain spreads swiftly
In recent weeks, an evolved virus has rapidly infected Gaza’s communities, which have already been battered by two years of conflict and a faltering medical system.
Health officials have not yet confirmed the virus’s identity. Limited testing capacity and medical shortages leave residents at risk.
A hospital repurposed for survival
Mariam, eight years old, was admitted to Rantisi Hospital on 11 January. Once a hub for treating children with kidney disease and cancer, the facility now primarily handles respiratory and digestive ailments, along with ongoing care for chronic conditions.
Despite Palestinian health authorities working to mend the hospital’s damage, overcrowding persists. Patients, including those with severe breathing issues, often wait hours to see a specialist, as described by Kalloub.
“She waited for hours before seeing a paediatrician, because of the overwhelming number of sick children,” said Kalloub.
Doctors discovered her lungs were in a dire state, with treatment options restricted to oxygen support. Intravenous feeding and other interventions were unavailable, according to the account.
“Two years of war didn’t kill her. A small virus did,” Kalloub stated.
A health system in collapse
With the October ceasefire, families hoped for recovery. Yet the ongoing crisis continues, as hospitals urge children to stay home to reduce exposure.
According to Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, the region faces an unprecedented crisis. “There is hardly a household without someone infected,” he said, noting the virus could be influenza, a new variant, or even Covid-19.
Emergency admissions have increased by 200 percent, with patients presenting symptoms like respiratory infections, high fevers, significant weight loss and joint pain. Severe pneumonia has led to critical care admissions and confirmed deaths.
Humanitarian impact
A November 2025 report by the World Health Organization-led Health Cluster revealed most Gaza hospitals cannot operate at full capacity. Essential medicines are missing in 55 percent of cases, while 71 percent of basic supplies are out of stock.
“Bed occupancy has reached 150 to 200 percent due to the influx of patients,” Abu Salmiya added.
Overcrowded refugee camps, leaking tents and contaminated water are worsening the spread of illness. Vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with long-term conditions are disproportionately affected.
Malnutrition and famine have further weakened immune systems, causing complications in patients undergoing dialysis, cancer treatment or heart care. The collapse of healthcare has amplified the threat of disease.
Even as a ceasefire began on 10 October, UN agencies noted last month that 77 percent of Gaza’s population still grapples with acute food shortages, heightening susceptibility to illness.
