The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said on Thursday that residents of the Gaza Strip, who are already living in extremely vulnerable conditions, are facing increasing risks of disease due to displacement, overcrowded tents, lack of clean water, and the collapse of environmental health systems.

In a post published on the social media platform X, the agency stated that rats are biting children at night inside their tents while they sleep.

UNRWA explained that it is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and local partners to monitor the growing number of skin infection cases and the increasing risk of disease outbreaks.

The agency stressed the urgent need to allow more tents, pesticides, and medicines into Gaza, while Israeli occupation authorities continue to enforce the blockade and prevent the entry of essential supplies.

With American and European support, the Israeli occupation army has, for more than two consecutive years since October 7, 2023, carried out acts of genocide, siege, and starvation in the Gaza Strip. The genocide in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of 72,619 Palestinian civilians, the majority of them women and children, and the injury of 172,484 others as of today, in a non-final toll. Thousands of victims are still believed to be trapped under rubble and lying in the streets, beyond the reach of ambulance and rescue crews.