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 moments of her imagination, Marwa Kalloub never thought her daughter Mariam would depart this life in a hospital bed after being admitted with flu-like symptoms.
The 38-year-old mother had confidence in her child’s strong constitution and the simple treatments available. Yet in Gaza, where relentless Israeli bombardments have eroded immunity and the medical system lies in ruins, a common illness turned deadly.
“Mariam had no history of illness,” shared her aunt, Iman Kalloub, with Middle East Eye. “Before her death, she suffered from a relentless cough, vomiting, and a fever that left her unable to eat.”
Kalloub recounted how the family anticipated a slow recovery, given the high number of patients in Gaza. But they never considered the illness would claim Mariam’s life so abruptly.
Over the past weeks, a rapidly evolving virus has swept through the region, hitting populations already strained by two years of conflict and a crumbling healthcare network.
Health officials have struggled to pinpoint the exact pathogen, citing limited testing and a shortage of medical supplies. This uncertainty has left residents vulnerable to its unpredictable effects.
Mariam, then eight years old, was taken to Rantisi Hospital on 11 January. Once a hub for treating children with kidney disease and cancer, it now primarily handles respiratory and digestive ailments, as well as ongoing chronic conditions.
Repeated Israeli attacks have forced the hospital to shift its focus, leaving it overwhelmed. Despite the Palestinian Ministry of Health’s efforts to repair facilities, services remain strained.
“She waited hours for a pediatrician, as the number of sick children grew beyond capacity,” Kalloub explained. “Doctors performed scans and found her lungs in a dire state. Treatment was nearly impossible. All they could do was administer oxygen.”
The family had welcomed the October ceasefire with cautious optimism, using it to rebuild their home and send Mariam back to school. The idea that a child who endured months of shelling would succumb to a virus seemed unthinkable.
“Two years of war didn’t kill her. A small virus did,” Kalloub said.
A Health Crisis Unfolds
As hospitals push families to isolate children, panic has gripped Gaza. The surge in cases has left healthcare workers scrambling to respond.
“Gaza is enduring an unparalleled humanitarian and health crisis due to the Israeli blockade,” stated Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City. “Most households have someone infected. The virus could be influenza, a variant, or even Covid-19.”
A November 2025 report from the WHO-led Health Cluster revealed that 55% of essential medicines and 71% of basic supplies were unavailable. Diagnosis and treatment have become arduous without proper equipment.
Bed occupancy at medical facilities has reached 150 to 200 percent, with many patients battling severe pneumonia. Some require intensive care, and deaths have been recorded.
Abu Salmiya noted that overcrowded refugee camps, faulty tents, and contaminated water sources have exacerbated the spread. “Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic diseases face the highest risks,” he added.
Malnutrition and famine have weakened immune systems, causing severe complications. Patients on dialysis, undergoing cancer treatment, or suffering heart conditions have been particularly affected.
Though the ceasefire began on 10 October, UN agencies reported last month that 77% of Gaza’s population still grapples with acute food shortages, leaving them highly susceptible to illness.
