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 darkest of her fears, Marwa Kalloub could not have anticipated her daughter Mariam’s death in a hospital bed following flu-like symptoms. The 38-year-old mother had assumed her child’s natural defenses and standard care would be sufficient to overcome any ailment.
However, the reality in Gaza has been starkly different. Months of Israeli bombardment have eroded immune systems, while the healthcare network has been pushed to its limits. A common illness became deadly under these conditions.
“Mariam had no prior health problems,” shared her aunt, Iman Kalloub, with Middle East Eye. “Before she passed, she was plagued by a severe cough, nausea, and a high fever. She stopped eating altogether.”
“So many people in Gaza were infected with this virus that we expected her recovery to take time. We never thought it would end like this,” Kalloub added.
Recent weeks have seen a mutated pathogen spreading rapidly through the region, hitting communities already weakened by two years of conflict and a crumbling medical system. Health officials remain uncertain about the exact nature of the virus, citing limited testing capabilities and a shortage of essential equipment.
Mariam, who was eight years old, was admitted to Rantisi Hospital on 11 January. Once a vital hub for treating children with kidney disease and cancer, the facility now focuses on respiratory and gastrointestinal issues, along with managing chronic conditions.
Despite efforts by the Palestinian Ministry of Health to stabilize the hospital, it remains overwhelmed. Mariam’s mother rushed her there after noticing severe breathing difficulties. “She waited for hours to see a paediatrician, due to the sheer number of sick children,” Kalloub explained. Doctors performed scans, revealing critical lung damage, and treatment options were limited.
“Two years of war didn’t kill her. A small virus did,” said Kalloub, reflecting on the tragedy.
The family had welcomed the October ceasefire with hope, beginning to rebuild their home and sending Mariam back to school. The idea that a child who endured months of bombings would succumb to a virus was unimaginable.
As hospitals advise families to keep children at home, fear has gripped Gaza. Medical professionals struggle to contain the outbreak amid a healthcare system battered by years of Israeli attacks. “Gaza is facing an unprecedented humanitarian and health crisis because of the Israeli blockade,” stated Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City.
Abu Salmiya noted that nearly every household has someone infected. The virus could be influenza, a new strain, or even Covid-19. Emergency admissions have surged by 200%, with most cases involving respiratory infections, high fever, and severe weight loss. Joint pain is also commonly reported among patients.
Severe pneumonia has driven thousands to hospitals, some requiring intensive care. Reports of deaths have emerged as a result. A November 2025 assessment by the World Health Organization-led Health Cluster revealed that most medical facilities in Gaza can no longer offer full services.
The study found that 55% of critical medications were unavailable, while 71% of basic supplies were depleted. “We lack medicines and lab equipment, making diagnosis and treatment extremely difficult,” Abu Salmiya said. “Bed occupancy has hit 150 to 200% due to the influx of patients.”
Overcrowded refugee camps, leaking tents, and contaminated water have accelerated the spread of illness. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases are especially at risk. Malnutrition and famine have further weakened immune systems, leading to complications and deaths among dialysis, cancer, and heart patients.
Despite the ceasefire starting on 10 October, UN agencies reported last month that 77% of Gaza’s population still suffers from acute food insecurity. This leaves many highly susceptible to disease, compounding the challenges of an already fragile healthcare system.