The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNRWA, says rats are biting children inside Gaza tents. This is happening as they sleep at night in their tents in the Gaza Strip.
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Rats bite sleeping children in overcrowded Gaza tents, UN agency warns
UNRWA disclosed on Thursday that the rats bite children in the night in their tents while they sleep.
The agency stressed the urgent need for authorities to allow more tents, insecticides, and medications into the blockaded Strip.
“In Gaza, an already vulnerable population faces much higher risks of disease due to displacement, overcrowded tents, lack of clean water, and broken sanitation systems,” UNRWA added.
The agency noted that it is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and local partners to track rising cases of skin infections and other disease risks.
UNRWA seeks urgent entry of insecticides, medical supplies as skin infections surge
As of early May 2026, UNRWA and other humanitarian agencies reported a severe health crisis in Gaza. Rats are biting children in overcrowded displacement tents.
The infestation, driven by destroyed sanitation systems and piled-up waste, has led to over 17,000 recorded infections. These are related to rodents and parasites, prompting urgent calls for insecticides, tents, and medical supplies.
In another development, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has accused Israel of violating the standing Gaza ceasefire in both Gaza and Jerusalem. The agency outlined a series of provocative actions by Israeli authorities.
Similarly, a coalition of eight Arab and Islamic nations has issued a forceful condemnation of Israel’s repeated Gaza ceasefire violations. The concurrent crisis deepens for Palestinian refugees in occupied East Jerusalem following the targeted disruption of vital UN agency services.