The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the approaching rainy and winter seasons could significantly exacerbate the public health crisis in the Gaza Strip. Testing of approximately 6,700 water samples over the first eight months of 2026 showed that microbiological contamination almost tripled — from under 6% in January to over 18% in August. Cases of acute diarrhea have nearly doubled since March, jumping from around 27,000 to over 48,000. Heavy rains pose a particular risk: they could flood overcrowded displacement camps, spreading sewage, waste, and contaminated water into living areas, thereby increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. The WHO has called for unimpeded and expedited entry of humanitarian supplies, including laboratory and diagnostic materials, to help respond to the growing outbreak.
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