Rising temperatures pose a new threat to Gaza’s already vulnerable population, with reports of two children succumbing to heatstroke in tents as temperatures soared to 40 degrees Celsius this week.
Approximately 1.2 million Palestinians are currently seeking refuge in plastic tents in and around Rafah, facing dire conditions exacerbated by shortages of clean water, and limited access to bathing and toilet facilities.
UN Palestinian Refugee Agency head Phillipe Lazzarini confirmed the tragic deaths, stating, “Over the past few days, Gaza has been undergoing an unusual heatwave. We received reports that at least two children died due to the heat. What more to endure: death, hunger, disease, displacement, and now living in greenhouses-like structures under scorching heat.”
The situation is dire, with a five-month-old girl reported dead on April 25th due to the soaring temperatures, as confirmed by the UN’s Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Gaza’s health authorities report that approximately 14,000 children have been killed in nearly seven months of war.
Most families in Gaza are living in makeshift structures constructed from scraps and plastic sheets, wholly inadequate for habitation, according to UN agencies.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, warned on Thursday that the lack of access to fresh water poses “a growing threat to public health” as temperatures continue to rise.
Gaza’s Mediterranean climate typically brings hot weather from May to October, with high humidity and temperatures reaching up to 38 degrees Celsius in August, exacerbating the already dire situation.
The worsening conditions are feared to exacerbate sickness, which is already on the rise. Gaza’s government office issued a warning last week about flooding streets with rubbish and sewage, creating a breeding ground for diseases such as diarrhoea and Hepatitis A.
Since the onset of the war in October, Israel has imposed a total siege on Gaza, severely restricting food, water, and fuel supplies into the territory. The population relies heavily on humanitarian organizations and aid supplies, but these have been severely limited by Israel’s restrictions.
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