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
In the midst of a brutal conflict, Marwa Kalloub had always believed her daughter Mariam would endure. Yet the 38-year-old mother now mourns her child, who succumbed to a deadly illness after being admitted with flu-like symptoms. What seemed like a minor ailment became a fatal crisis in a region already battered by war.
Mariam’s condition was unexpected. Her aunt, Iman Kalloub, recalled that the girl had no pre-existing health issues. “Before she died, Mariam had a severe cough, nausea, and a high fever. She stopped eating entirely,” the relative said. The family had anticipated a prolonged recovery, but the outcome was devastating.
“Two years of war didn’t kill her. A small virus did,” Kalloub said, reflecting on the irony of their situation.
Gaza’s health system, crippled by relentless airstrikes, has struggled to cope with the surge in infections. A mutated strain of the virus is spreading rapidly, exploiting communities weakened by famine and malnutrition. With limited testing capabilities and shortages of medical supplies, health officials remain uncertain about the exact pathogen.
Mariam was admitted to Rantisi Hospital on 11 January, a facility once renowned for treating pediatric kidney disease and cancer. Now, it functions as a frontline for respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of patients. Despite repairs by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the hospital operates at full capacity, struggling to meet basic needs.
The mother brought Mariam to the hospital after she developed severe breathing difficulties. “She waited hours to see a paediatrician, as the number of sick children was overwhelming,” Kalloub explained. Doctors discovered her lungs were in critical condition, leaving treatment options limited. “They could only provide oxygen. Even intravenous nutrition was unavailable,” the aunt added.
A Mutated Threat
With the ceasefire in October, hopes for stability resurfaced. Families began rebuilding their lives and sending children back to school. But the virus struck without warning, claiming a child who had survived months of bombardment. “We never thought a common illness could end like this,” Kalloub said.
Doctors at al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City described the situation as unprecedented. “There is hardly a household without someone infected,” said Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the facility’s director. He speculated the virus could be influenza, a variant, or even Covid-19, noting a 200% rise in emergency admissions.
WHO-led assessments in November 2025 revealed dire conditions. Over half of essential medicines were out of reach, and 71% of basic supplies were depleted. “Diagnosis and treatment are nearly impossible due to shortages,” Abu Salmiya stated. Bed occupancy has reached 150-200%, with overcrowded camps and contaminated water exacerbating the spread.
The Crisis Deepens
Malnutrition and famine have left immune systems compromised, making infections more lethal. “Dialysis, cancer, and heart patients are dying from complications,” Abu Salmiya warned. Despite the ceasefire, 77% of Gaza’s population still faces acute food shortages, according to UN agencies.
With hospitals urging isolation, fear grips the population. A fast-moving illness has turned homes into battlegrounds, leaving families to grapple with uncertainty. “The collapse of immunity has led to widespread disease,” Abu Salmiya concluded, underscoring the dire consequences of ongoing conflict.
